A comparison of the effects of light intensity on movement and growth of albino and normal sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus Selenka) |
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| Authors: | Chenggang Lin Libin Zhang Shilin Liu Su Gao Qiang Xu |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China;2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China;3. Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China;4. Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China |
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| Abstract: | Albinism in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) may be a significant biomarker that can be used to obtain information about behaviors and growth of this species. The goal of this study was to compare the behaviors and growth rate between albino and normal A. japonicus. Total light intensity and specific growth rate were used as statistical indices. Diverse light intensities were tested in the laboratory and in the field to identify ecological characteristics of albino A. japonicus. Experimental results revealed that: (1) both albino and normal specimens had negative phototaxis; (2) normal A. japonicus were more responsive to intense light than albino species, and the latter could withstand longer periods of exposure to intense light; (3) normal A. japonicus grew faster than albino specimens; and (4) both normal and albino A. japonicus grew faster in natural light than in the other light intensities tested. |
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| Keywords: | sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicas albino light behavior growth |
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