Stress Susceptibility Of Echinoderms Under Aquaculture Conditions

摘要

If an animal is stressed, its immune function decreases, and vulnerability to diseases increases. Since there is currently no effective treatment for disease in echinoderms, the authors examined the impacts of handling and salinity fluctuations on theimmune functions of sea cucumbers and sea urchins. The sea urchins were much more susceptible to stress and decreased immune function due to lowered salinity and handling than the sea cucumbers were. Although sea cucumbers did show negative effects, none of them was significant.