EFFECTS OF ALGAL DIET ON THE ENERGY AVAILABLE FOR GROWTH OF JUVENILE SEA-URCHINS LOXECHINUS-ALBUS (MOLINA, 1782)

The type of algal food affected both the energy balance and the quanti ty of energy available for growth of young sea urchins (Loxechinus alb us). The Rhodophyte alga Gracilaria sp. resulted in the greatest quant ity of energy available for growth because the energy lost due to resp iration was minimal. On the other hand, feeding the Chlorophyte alga U lva sp. resulted in a negative sign of the energy balance equation. Th e energy content of the alp fed did not account for the different resu lts obtained. The fact that the energy balance varied with the differe nt type of algal species offered as food indicates that it is possible to optimize the growth rate of young sea urchins. This is of great si gnificance for the future cultivation of this highly profitable specie s.