The effect of the quantitative feeding regime on the larval survival rate of the purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus)

Purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) is distributed in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a keystone species in benthic ecosystems for its trophic behavior and it has a considerable economical value derivative of its delicious gonads. Being the most consumed sea urchin species in Europe, natural populations are exposed to overfishing in many Mediterranean and non‐Mediterranean coastal areas, causing a sharp decline of the stock. In this scenario, artificial breeding of purple sea urchin is arising great interest and several attempts to reproduce are underway. The present study focused on testing survival and metamorphosis rates of P. lividus larvae fed a microalgal mix of Chaetoceros calcitrans, Tetraselmis suecica and Isochrysis galbana (1:1:1) at three different concentrations: i) 1000‐2000 cells/ml; ii) 5000‐10000 cells/ml and iii) 20000‐40000 cells/ml, three replicates for each condition. Obtained results enhanced the concentration with higher survival and metamorphosis rates.