Hidden in plain sight: hyperspectral documentation of complex biofluorescence produced by the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)

Abstract

Biofluorescence in echinoderms is largely unexplored, and even though the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is a well-studied species, the presence and/or function of fluorescence remains very poorly understood. Hyperspectral imaging was conducted on adult sea urchins (N = 380) while fluorospectrometric analysis was conducted on sea urchin coelomic fluid (N = 30). Fluorescence was documented in both the spines and coelomic fluid of S. droebachiensis. Intact spines exhibited a low intensity green emission (∼550-600 nm), while broken spines averaged a high emission peak in the green spectrum (∼580 nm). Sea urchins produce a red exudate with a pronounced emission peak (∼680 nm) with a shoulder peak (∼730 nm). The sampled coelomic fluid exhibited high variability, with a majority exhibiting a low-level green fluorescence while pronounced emission peaks (N = 5) were found in the red spectrum (∼680 nm). The complex fluorescence produced by S. droebachiensis warrants further investigation on its applicability for monitoring welfare of sea urchins in aquaculture facilities.