Effects of salinity and standard toxic metals on fertilization and embryo development rates were investigated in the sea urchin. Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus. Spawning was induced by injecting 1~2 mL of 0.5 M KCl into the coelomic cavity. Males released white or cream-colored sperms and females released yellow or orange-colored eggs. The fertilization rate was below 30% when salinity was 20 psu and lower, but was almost above 90% when salinity was 25 psu and higher. The embryo development rate was below 60% when salinity was 25 psu and lower, but was above 80% when salinity was between 30 and 35 psu. The fertilization and embryo development rates in the control condition (not including Cu and Cd) were greater than 90%, but decreased a high negative correlation with the increasing of Cu (r=-0.80, r=-0.78) and Cd (r=-0.90, r=-0.82) concentrations, respectively. The fertilization and embryo development rates were significantly inhibited in the addition of Cu (EC??= 17.30 ppb, EC??=10.32 ppb) and Cd (EC??=364.57 ppb, EC??=244.04 ppb), respectively. These results suggest that salinity concentrations for successful fertilization and normal embryogenesis of H. pulcherrimus are above 25 psu and 30 psu, respectively, and the biological assays of fertilization and embryo development rates using H. pulcherrimus are useful methods for the ecological toxicity test of marine pollution elements.
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