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Open AccessArticle
Feeding Behavior, Gut Microbiota, and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Individual Growth Differences in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius
by
Qi Ye
Qi Ye †,
Chuang Gao
Chuang Gao †,
Haoran Xiao
Haoran Xiao ,
Shuchao Ruan
Shuchao Ruan ,
Yongjie Wang
Yongjie Wang ,
Xiaonan Li
Xiaonan Li ,
Yaqing Chang
Yaqing Chang ,
Chong Zhao
Chong Zhao ,
Heng Wang
Heng Wang ,
Bing Han
Bing Han and
Jun Ding
Jun Ding *
Key Laboratory of Mariculture and Stock Enhancement in North China’s Sea (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Biology 2024, 13(9), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090705 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 17 July 2024
/
Revised: 4 September 2024
/
Accepted: 6 September 2024
/
Published: 7 September 2024
Simple Summary
The presence of individual growth differentiation within the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) has significantly hindered the advancement of aquaculture. Despite this, the underlying causes and mechanisms driving these growth disparities remain largely unexplored. Here, we provide evidence that sea urchins of different sizes differ to varying degrees in behavior, gut microbiota compositions, and gene transcription profiles, which may collectively elucidate the observed growth disparities. Firstly, larger sea urchins demonstrated significantly heightened feeding activity compared to smaller sea urchins. Secondly, analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that larger sea urchins possess enhanced digestive efficiency and greater growth potential. Finally, the transcriptome research results prove that small-sized sea urchins were in a state of long-term stress and had some physiological responses to counteract the stress. In conclusion, we have elucidated the potential factors contributing to growth disparities in sea urchins across three distinct levels. This work provides a theoretical basis for regulating the growth of sea urchins, exploring methods to enhance aquaculture production, and promoting the sustainable and healthy development of the sea urchin aquaculture industry.
Abstract
Growth differentiation among farmed sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) poses a significant challenge to aquaculture, with there being a limited understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, sea urchins with varying growth rates, reared under identical conditions, were analyzed for feeding behavior, gut microbiota, and transcriptomes. Large-sized sea urchins demonstrated significantly higher feeding ability and longer duration than smaller ones. The dominant phyla across all size groups were Campylobacterota, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes, with Campylobacterota showing the highest abundance in small-sized sea urchins (82.6%). However, the families Lachnospiraceae and Pseudomonadaceae were significantly less prevalent in small-sized sea urchins. Transcriptome analysis identified 214, 544, and 732 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the large vs. medium, large vs. small, and medium vs. small comparisons, respectively. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway analyses associated DEGs with key processes such as steroid biosynthesis, protein processing within the endoplasmic reticulum, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Variations in phagosomes and signaling pathways indicated that size differences are linked to disparities in energy expenditure and stress responses. These findings provide a foundation for future investigations into the regulatory mechanisms underlying growth differences in S. intermedius and provide clues for the screening of molecular markers useful to improve sea urchin production.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Ye, Q.; Gao, C.; Xiao, H.; Ruan, S.; Wang, Y.; Li, X.; Chang, Y.; Zhao, C.; Wang, H.; Han, B.;
et al. Feeding Behavior, Gut Microbiota, and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Individual Growth Differences in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius. Biology 2024, 13, 705.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090705
AMA Style
Ye Q, Gao C, Xiao H, Ruan S, Wang Y, Li X, Chang Y, Zhao C, Wang H, Han B,
et al. Feeding Behavior, Gut Microbiota, and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Individual Growth Differences in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius. Biology. 2024; 13(9):705.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090705
Chicago/Turabian Style
Ye, Qi, Chuang Gao, Haoran Xiao, Shuchao Ruan, Yongjie Wang, Xiaonan Li, Yaqing Chang, Chong Zhao, Heng Wang, Bing Han,
and et al. 2024. "Feeding Behavior, Gut Microbiota, and Transcriptome Analysis Reveal Individual Growth Differences in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius" Biology 13, no. 9: 705.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090705
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