Republic of the Philippines

University of the Philippines Los Baños

College, Laguna

Bioerosion of Coralline Substrate by Sea Urchin Diadema setosum in Calatagan,

Batangas: Quantification of Eroded Calcium Carbonate by Gut Extraction

A Research Proposal
Submitted to the
College of Arts and Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the course

ENG 10: Writing of Scientific Papers

Claude Michael G. Salva

BS Biology

May 25, 2018

Second Semester, 2017-2018

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 Republic of the Philippines
University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna

INTRODUCTION

Bioerosion is one of the most fascinating phenomenon that occurs in the marine

ecosystem yet its numerous impact on the environment is still poorly understood by the

majority. Several researches mainly focus on pressing issues such as ocean

acidification, coral bleaching, algal phase shift, and habitat loss when in fact, bioerosion

plays a role in the onset of these processes. According to Mokady, Lazar and Loya

(1996), bioerosion plays an important role in the proliferation of reefs as well in the

molding of community structure by controlling the facilitation of coral recruits. Any

disturbances in this process can immediately result to alterations in the community

structure, or disruption in the balance of marine ecosystem. The effect of sea urchin

bioerosion has been studied extensively in recent years because it gives greater

significance in understanding the balance in marine habitat.

The effect of sea urchin bioerosion has been studied extensively in recent years

because it gives greater significance in understanding the balance in marine habitat.

Major studies show that class size, species, and density are the principal factors that

can alter the bioerosion rate of the echinoid. Bak (1994) concluded that a primary force

that defines the possible composition of the reef and considered as an important

variable in carbonate budget is bioerosion by echinoids. In relation to this, there is now

much evidence to support the hypothesis that echinoid bioerosion plays some functional

role in the bioerosion of coral reefs due to their grazing activity. However, the results

cannot be delimited due to difference in the obtained findings which are due to varying

complexity of reef habitats tested. On the other hand, the calcium carbonate ingested by

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these echinoids can determine the rate of bioerosion since particle of calcium carbonate

is being incorporated during their grazing activity. Grazers produce significant amount of

sand and rubbles compared to other bioeroders (Ogden, 1977). This is important for

assessing the severity of the effect of echinoid bioerosion in the coralline substrate.

Several studies investigated the effect of bioerosion by sea urchins in several

patch reef systems. Griffin, Garcia and Weil (2003) asserted that the principal

bioeroders of coral reef assemblages are the sea urchins. Alongside with this study,

Bronstein and Loya (2014) discovered that in controlling the quantity of food ingested by

sea urchins, several factors have been recognized. Considerations in these factors can

be incorporated on how severe the effect of sea urchin bioerosion on reefs. Perhaps,

species, size and density of the echinoids, together with macroalgal and predator

abundance of the site affects the bioerosion rate (Dumont et al., 2013). Supporting

these obtained results, Bak et al. (1984) argued that the equilibrium between reef

formation and destruction, the trophic position of these echinoids is of greater

importance on some reefs.

Despite these relevant findings on the reef bioerosion induced by echinoids,

there are still some questions whether some processes are really connected with the

onset of other processes. Perhaps, in terms of ocean acidification, several authors

linked bioerosion with the lowering of ocean water’s pH. Jain (2011) stated that aside

from lessening the rate of chemical bioerosion, increasing temperature also decreases

the disintegration of limestone in ocean water. Thus, it is not only dependent on the

action of echinoids, but other physicochemical factors also contribute to ocean

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acidification. On the other hand, findings like those of Korzen et al. (2011) emphasized

the role of herbivory in facilitating the balance in coral reefs. Also, with the rise in

nutrient levels between the borderline of corals and algae, it was detected that

herbivores, such as grazers and browser, have the capacity to minimize the algal

volume (Vermeij et al., 2010). This findings give us the prime importance on why the

bioerosion rate of echinoids must be determined particularly in the Philippine reefs

where there is a rich biodiversity of marine organisms. Hence, the goal of the current

research investigation is to determine the overall impact of the echinoid bioerosion in

the onset of other marine phenomenon such as coral bleaching, algal phase shift,

habitat loss, and coral recruitment.

1.1 Objectives of the Study

This study aims to determine the amount of calcium carbonate in the gut of sea

urchin of sea urchin to estimate the bioerosion rate of the selected coralline substrate in

Calatagan, Batangas. Specifically, it would like to:

1. Determine the relationship of sea urchin size in the rate of bioerosion; and

2. Quantify the gut turnover rate of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in sea urchin.

1.2 Significance of the Study

Due to lack of available data in sea urchin bioerosion, particularly in the

Philippines, this study will serve as one of the pioneering research in determining the

bioerosion rate of sea urchins by quantifying the amount of trace calcium carbonates

present in its gut. This study will aid future researches in echinoid bioerosion to further

understand its implication in the facilitation of coral recruits and destruction of coralline

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substrate. Moreover, this study will also contribute on understanding the relationship

between the grazing of macroalgae and bioerosion of carbonates in coral reef systems.

1.2 Place and Time of the Study

The study will be conducted in Barangay Gulod, Calatagan, Batangas where

there is an abundance of long-spined sea urchin or Diadema setosum in the seagrass

dominated, shallow reef flat. The site was sheltered from waves and the water was

clear. Figure 1.1 illustrates the map of Barangay Gulod, Calatagan, Batangas. For the

determination of the calcium carbonate content in the gut, it will be conducted at the

Animal Ecology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and

Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños on June and October 2018.

Figure 1.1. Map showing the location of the study site in Barangay Gulod, Calatagan,
Batangas.

1.3 Scope and Delimitation

This study focuses mainly on the bioerosion rates of sea urchins along side the

effects of echinoid class size on the onset of this process. It does not consider the

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bioerosion induced by other bioeroders present in the area. Moreover, several class

sizes of Diadema setosum will be considered in this study. Also, this study will only

assess the impact of sea urchin bioerosion in the shallow reef system in Calatagan,

Batangas.

1.5 Definition of Terms

The following terminologies will be operationally used in this study:

Bioerosion – the removal of carbonate framework of corals through the actions of

several biological agents such as sea urchins.

Calcium carbonate – also known as limestone, it is a compound that is responsible for

the rigidity and stable structure of coral skeleton.

Corals reefs – a diverse and highly productive ecosystem mainly consist of colony-

forming animals.

Macroalgae – large algae that mainly settles in the surface of coral reefs on which the

sea urchins graze for food.

Sea urchin – marine animal under the Phylum Echinodermata which is an important

bioeroder of coralline substrate.

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College, Laguna

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Morphology and Behavior of Sea Urchin

Sea urchins are spiny, globular marine invertebrates under the phylum

Echinodermata together with sea stars and sea cucumbers. Compared with other

distant invertebrates, species under this phylum has a radial body symmetry,

specifically a pentaradial type of symmetry. Moreover, echinoids have a unique feature

which is the presence of bony buccal appendage known as Aristotle’s lantern. This

mouth-like organ helps the urchin graze the macroalgae on the coral surface. Figure 2.1

shows the morphological features of Diadema setosum, a long-spined sea urchin which

is commonly found in marine ecosystem.

Figure 2.1. Long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum showing long black spines
surrounding its body, and a distinctive pattern of iridophore (Poulsen, 2007).

Figure 2.1. illustrates a Diadema setosum which shows long, black spines, and a

distinctive pattern of iridophores surrounding the orange ring around the bulbous anal

papilla. Due to their radial body symmetry, movements of sea urchins are restricted

thus, their spines aid them in their minimal locomotion. According to Hickman et al.

(2008), the echinoids tests reveal the general pentamerous arrangement of

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echinoderms in their ambulacral region, in exchange to their lack of arms. Moreover,

this movement also allows them to defend themselves from possible predatory attacks.

Like other echinoderms, sea urchins also possess tube feet which plays an important

role on its survival in marine environment. The tube feet, which extends along the

boundaries of the body, plays an important role in some physiological processes such

as respiration, excretion, sensation, and locomotion (Sumich, 1976).

Considered as one of the more important grazers in the benthic environment,

echinoids have evolved unique morpho-anatomical characteristics to efficiently graze on

the coral surface. Aristotle’s lantern is teeth-like projections in the mouth of sea urchins

that help them in ingesting and breaking down food (Dunlap & Monaghan, 2008). This

structure, aside from obtaining macroalgae, also helps in scraping particles of calcium

carbonate from the coral framework. Dunlap and Monaghan (2008) also added that this

structure is constantly growing all throughout the life of the echinoids. However,

Aristotle’s lantern is limited to regular urchins, and it is commonly associated with the

teeth of the echinoids (Hickman et al., 2008). Even though it has the best defense

mechanism, sea urchins are still prone to predatory attacks which limits their

physiological functions to a specific time range. Instead of grazing in the morning,

echinoids are more actively grazing on the surface of coral reefs during the night. This

explains their aggregation during the morning because they must protect each other

from attacks of several predators while they are vulnerable during these hours.

2.2 Effects of Bioerosion

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Bioerosion is an important process in the marine ecosystem since it is a

determinant of the rate of formation and destruction of coral reefs. Tribollet and Golubic

(2011) accounts the impact of this process in the destruction of reefs. Due to the

alternating cycle of formation and destruction, bioerosion entails several benefits and

threats in the marine environment because of its subsequent effect on the coral reef

morphology.

Sea urchin dominance and coral cover relationship has been found as one of the

primary conformers in the effects of bioerosion in most reef systems. Tyrrell (2014)

found great variances among transects and high standard deviation traversing each site

when he explored coral cover at the reefs. However, high coral cover is not the lone

influence on the abundance of sea urchins since other biological and environmental

variables must still be considered.

Another effect of bioerosion can be seen on the sea urchin grazing and algae

proliferation. In a marine protected area, the large macroalgal displayed an inverse

relationship with the sea urchin abundance (Tyrell, 2014). Moreover, Kennish (1994)

asserted that due to its great primary productivity and its role in providing habitat for

several species, sea grass is an important component of a marine environment. The

relationship between the macroalgal cover and sea urchin abundance can also provide

information on the substrate complexity preference and grazing rate of the echinoids.

Lastly, the impact of overpopulated sea urchins in a coral reef system also

influences the bioerosion rate. Bioerosion rates are linked with the presence of marine

parks since it has a major influence in the distribution and abundance of echinoids

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(Tyrell, 2014). The severity of bioerosion rates is delimited by marine protected areas

primarily because abundances of grazers such as urchins and fishes are regulated.

Several cracks and holes in the corallin framework are being created by the bioeroders

to provide habitation for these organisms (Castro & Huber, 2010).

Knowing these effects, bioerosion can be either beneficial or harmful to marine

ecosystems based on one’s perspective. Several influences can either increase or

decrease the severity of damage in the coralline framework. Its effects on the reef

morphology and ecology can be altered greatly by the intense bioerosion by most

species particularly by echinoids.

2.3 Calcium Carbonate Framework of Corals

The production of carbonates is vital in the formation of most coral reef systems

primarily because of its role in providing stability in structure and resistance against

waves and tidal surges. Calcium carbonate framework of corals is the main supporting

structure of coral reef systems whereas destruction or removal of some of its portion

can ultimately pose threats in the stability and survivability of coral reefs.

Calcium carbonate can be derived from many sources through several

processes. First, organisms can contribute the production of carbonate sediments by

long term accretion of calcium carbonate by calcifying organisms such as scleractinian

corals and coralline algae. Second, wave action can also induce production of coral

carbonates by removing clusters of carbonates from dead coral reefs. The sand and

rubbles produced will serve as a raw material for coral recruits to start the calcification

process. Lastly, the most important among the three, is the coral reef production of

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carbonates which is achieved when the accretion of calcium carbonate is attained via

actions of several marine organisms.

Generally, calcium carbonate productivity can be of great significance on

determining the extent of bioerosion in specific sites. Pescud (2012) discussed that a

key danger in accretion of coral reef systems and reef island stability is linked with

minimal carbonate productivity on the exposed reef flat which could be accompanied

with ocean acidification and coral bleaching.

2.4 Major Forces of Bioerosion

Several factors play an important role in determining the extent of bioerosion per

area. The three major forces include species composition, size, and density.

Species composition only states that different species of echinoids have varying

degrees of bioerosion rate. Bak (1994) states that between two types of echinoids,

Echinometra mathaei and Diadema savigniy, there are marked distinction in bioerosion

among similar class sizes. However, due to lack of available data, the claim is not

considered universal (Bak, 1994).

Size refers to either the variation in size between species, or variation in size

among species’ population. Bak (1994) claimed that an expanded possibility of

bioerosion together with growing echinoid sizes can also dictate some consequences in

bioerosion rates aside from species composition.

The last driving force of bioerosion with more obvious effect is density. Density

can really dictate the bioerosion rate of echinoids since generally, an increase in

number of urchin can hasten the rate of bioerosion of corals. In a larger extent, spatial

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densities among echinoid species have great variation (Bak, 1994). Since density is a

function of the area, a larger range of inhabitation can increase bioerosion rate. It was

found that the maximum range of echinoid density extends up to greater than ten per

square meter (Bak, 1994).

2.5 Algal Phase Shift

When grazers such as echinoids become scarce, proliferation of algae may

follow. The function of the reef may be altered thus causing a shift from coral dominated

area to algal dominated area. This can be detrimental to the marine organisms since

there will be competition for oxygen with the abundance of this macroalgae. Moreover,

plants in the substratum can also face threats since they are not able to harness

enough sunlight due to blockings of this algae on the water surface. Two reasons for

this phase shift is due to increase nutrient concentration and decrease herbivory.

Nutrient concentration in marine waters can cause algae to proliferate causing

algal phase shift. According to Szmant (2002), since nutrients favor the growth of

macroalgae, therefore under low nutrient condition, corals will continue to proliferate.

The increasing nutrient concentration in oceans due to anthropogenic factors, however,

is not the main force that drives this process, except in severe conditions.

Another factor that drives the proliferation of macroalgae is due to loss of

herbivory. This probably has the most prominent and obvious effect in terms of algal

phase shift since it has been long established that browsers and grazers are important

in limiting the number of algae in coral reefs. McManus et al. (2000) asserted that the

increased algal number is due to elimination of key herbivores, primarily through fishing,

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in tropical and subtropical systems which is in effect, lessens the grazing pressure.

Thus, anthropogenic factors, in this case, have been notable to cause such effects in

the occurrence of algal phase shifts.

2.6 Related Studies

Sea urchin bioerosion is considered as one of the key processes in maintaining

the balance of marine ecosystem yet it receives less attention from the scientific

community due to its overlooked effects on the environment. It has been intertwined

with the incidence of other phenomenon such as coral bleaching, algal phase shift,

habitat loss, and coral recruitment. Between the protected and unprotected coral reefs,

Bronstein and Loya (2014) discovered noticeable alterations in coral and macroalgal

cover, echinoid community structure, and herbivory rates and bioerosion. Looking at its

mechanism, the abundance of echinoids can be correlated with the extent of bioerosion

rate per area. Based on current findings of Brown-Saracino, Peckol, Allen Curan and

Robbart (2007), the rates of bioerosion in several small, isolated reefs is around 0.2 kg

CaCO3 m-2 year-1 up to greater than 2.0 CaCO3 m-2 year-1 (Hol Chan Marine Reserve).

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the rate of bioerosion and its

subsequent effects in the coral reef ecology like that of Bak (1990), Peyrot-Clausade et

al. (2000), Tribollet, Decherf, Hutchings, & Peyrot-Clausade (2002), Griffin, Garcia and

Weil (2003), Herrera-Escalante, López-Pérez and Leyte-Morales (2005), Brown-

Saracino, Peckol, Allen Curan and Robbart (2007), Dumont et al. (2013), Bronstein and

Loya (2014), and Uy, Bongalo and Dy (2015). These studies showed that sea urchin

plays a major functional role in the bioerosion of coral reefs due to their grazing activity

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and the amount of calcium carbonate ingested by these echinoids can therefore

determine individual bioerosion rates because particles of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)

has been incorporated simultaneously in their gut while grazing.

Sea urchins are considered as one of the more important bioeroders of coralline

substrate in most marine environment. One evidence is the presence of lesions and

physical damage on the coral surface caused by their feeding and spine abrasion.

Echinoids have been related with its important role to the entire bioerosion of calcium

carbonates in coral reef systems as reported by Griffin, Garcia and Weil (2003). Even

though sea urchins graze primarily on coral reefs, they feed mostly on macroalgae

localized on coral reefs while scraping some portion of the carbonate framework.

Tribollet, Decherf, Hutchings and Peyrot-Clausade (2002) discovered that after a year of

contact at four sites, grazing was the leading means of bioerosion as such that it can

surpass 70% of the 2.8 kg CaCO3 m–2 year–1 overall bioerosion at Lizard Island. In

relation with the occurrence of bioerosion, the function of reef balance can also be at

risk due to imbalances in the formation and destruction of reefs. According to Griffin,

Garcia and Weil (2003), Echinometra viridis’ erosional activities have had a noteworthy

consequence on the morphology of both reefs. Other studies observed that there are

significant variations on the bioerosion rate of different sites because of the differences

in echinoid density. In between zones, echinoids have varying amount of CaCO 3 eroded

as stressed by Herrera-Escalante, López-Pérez and Leyte-Morales (2005). However,

Peyrot-Clausade et al. (2000) claims that 8 kg CaCO3 m−2 yr−1 maximum is the overall

bioerosion activity exhibited by grazers on both islands. Due to these unforeseen

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observations, species of sea urchins has also been considered as a determinant of

degree of bioerosion in coral reef systems. For instance, different urchin species have

different bioerosion capacity compared with another species. Uy, Bongalo and Dy

(2015) reported that among the three species of sea urchins, there is a relative

difference in the amount of CaCO3 in their gut. This is strongly supported by the works

of other authors whereas Dumont et al. (2013) proved that the elimination of entangling

macroalgae from the body framework of P. carnosus and P. lutea is effectively done by

Diadema setosum which shows that in preventing massive growth of algae in coral reef

zones, echinoids are of great significance. In relation to this, due to ingestion of large

amounts of calcareous matter while scraping the substrate for algae, D. setosum

gathered in non-seagrass sites has considerably greater amount of CaCO 3 in their gut

than those harvested at seagrass zones (Uy, Bongalo, & Dy, 2015). Since urchin

species and density extremely affects the bioerosion rate in a typical marine

environment, considerations on their population control have also been reported.

Predators of sea urchins, such as fishes, can indirectly affect bioerosion by wiping out

the population of the grazing echinoids especially in areas where populations of sea

urchins are highly delimited. The abundance of fish under Family Labridae, such as

wrasses and hogfish, has an inverse relationship on the population of echinoids mainly

because of their predator-prey relationship (Brown-Saracino, Peckol, Allen Curan, &

Robbart, 2007). Moreover, according to Brown-Saracino, Peckol, Allen Curan and

Robbart (2007), fish are significant in steering the echinoid population thus, MPAs can

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be an avenue to control the abundance of urchins on coral reefs then, stabilizing the

calcium carbonate cycle.

Similar with other environmental processes, bioerosion is also influenced by

several natural and physical factors. The findings of Tribollet, Decherf, Hutchings and

Peyrot-Clausade (2002) proved that there are significant differences in grazing rates of

echinoids between reef habitats, which are reliant on grazer’s distribution, borers, and

environmental influences. These factors, along with the feeding action of the echinoids,

have a direct relationship with the rate of bioerosion in the area. For instance, the size

of echinoid is linked with the quantity of erosion it causes as stated by Bak (1990). This

was deeply elaborated when Bronstein and Loya (2014) described body size as a

relevant causative agent in the varying bioerosion rates and a vital factor in determining

coralline rate of bioerosion in Hong Kong (Dumont et al., 2013). Generally, larger

echinoids graze greater number of algae on the surface of corals which subsequently

detaches larger particles of the carbonate framework. At Bahías de Huatulco, test size

takes part in the rates of bioerosion whereas direct relationship exists between test size

and species bioerosion (Herrera-Escalante, López-Pérez, & Leyte-Morales, 2005). This

mechanism is due to direct contact of echinoids while feeding on corals, whereas the

spine also happens to scrape some portion of the coral skeleton. Rates of bioerosion

also varies depending on the type of reef formation, and coral reef structure. Among

reef environments, bioerosion rates of grazers are significantly different, with higher

erosions rates on outer reef flat at La Réunion and on the barrier reef flat with

transverse stripes at Moorea (Peyrot-Clausade et al., 2000). Both reef sites are made

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up of several colonies of corals and encrusting algae. Several studies supported this

claim by taking into considerations other significant factors such as density together with

other geologic variables. According to Bak (1990), aside from species-specific erosion

and size distribution, population densities are also a factor on the overall erosion rates

of the reef framework by sea urchin. These factors affect bioerosion simultaneously

thus, each factor is incorporated with the prevalence of another variable. On the other

hand, the type of echinoid species that proliferates the locality can also be a factor in

determining the rate of bioerosion. For instance, in sites of little depth ranging from 1-3

m, bioerosion rates of Echinometra viridis were discovered to be higher with high

density (Griffin, Garcia, & Weil, 2003). In addition to this, Echinometra. mathaei overall

bioerosion is about 12 notches greater on eastern reefs thus, credited with the

modification in bioerosion rates between the eastern and western reefs (Bronstein &

Loya, 2014). The occurrence of higher bioerosion rates among this species can be

related to their feeding morphology or functional physiology, or behavioral patterns.

Contrary to several studies, other claims asserted that rates of bioerosion by echinoids

are not varying among different sites since bioerosion are closely associated with the

species-specific bioerosion rather than differences in environmental variables.

According to Tribollet, Decherf, Hutchings and Peyrot-Clausade (2002) bioerosion rates

of macroborers per location were not significantly different and did not change with the

mass of coral skeleton.

Calcium carbonate is one of the compounds being eroded by sea urchins when

they grazed for algae. According to Herrera-Escalante, López-Pérez and Leyte-Morales

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(2005), aside from spine abrasion, however, feeding habits disintegrates greater

amount of CaCO3 regardless of size. As echinoids feed and scrape of some portion of

the carbonate framework, it can also increase the rates of erosion for other species by

providing some lesions and fractures where borers can accumulate. Relatively, bigger

echinoids have greater amount of CaCO3 in their gut, whereas the weight of CaCO3 in

gut content was correlated with test diameter (Dumont et al., 2013). Since larger

echinoids can occupy a greater area for grazing compared with smaller echinoids,

comparatively, they can erode and incorporate greater amount of calcium carbonate in

their gut.

One phenomenon that is drastically influenced by the bioerosion of echinoids is

the formation and destruction of coral reefs. Between the process of reef formation and

destruction, the development of coral colonies is considered as the main reef-forming

factor (Bak, 1990). Sea urchins, as a grazer of macroalgae in coralline substrates, have

dramatically induced several changes in the balance of two processes. For instance, the

destruction of coral reef systems on Palmas Mario and some patchy reefs in La

Parguera is due to great densities of E. viridis as reported by Griffin, Garcia and Weil

(2003). This is greatly backed-up when Bronstein and Loya (2014) noted that echinoid

bioerosion can be a temporary solution in heightening the complexity of exposed coral

reefs via amplification of chafed benthic ecosystems thus, inducing higher diversity in

these areas. Thus, these two processes are also intertwined and mainly affected by the

bioerosion of echinoids. In relation to this, several studies reported the marked

differences on the formation and destruction of reefs on protected and unprotected

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sites. According to Bronstein and Loya (2014), minor bioerosion is observed in

protected sites compared to unprotected sites. However, Bak (1990) argued that the

high densities of sea urchin are of key relevance in the stability of reef forming and

destruction, even though great variations among rates of bioerosion in lagoons are

observed.

Sea urchins have a huge impact in the ecology of marine environments primarily

due to its ability to remove particles of calcium carbonate which is the fundamental

compound making up most coral reefs. Through the extraction of its gut, the bioerosion

of each species can be quantified by looking at the amount of calcium carbonate

concentration in the gut. However, several variations in the result of some authors can

also be of great use in the study of bioerosion rate of this species. One thing is the

study of animal behavior in relation with their bioerosion pattern. According to Uy,

Bongalo and Dy (2015), clumping behavior displayed by echinoids is likely to be related

to their preferred substrate type. Moreover, night-time counts were steadily high,

ranging from 1.46 to 2.52 ratio based on the comparative data of the day and night

counts of D. setosum along nine transects within 3 sites (Dumont et al., 2013). Other

studies, on the other hand, considered the extent of bioerosion by analyzing the

macroalgal cover together with the morphology of species and several abiotic factors.

Brown-Saracino, Peckol, Allen Curan and Robbart (2007) highlighted that reduced

intensity of factors such as algal cover, urchin size, and organic matter indicates

bottom-up controls on echinoid numbers at ridge sites. Similarly, according to Dumont

et al. (2013), the crude weight of the gut content decreases exponentially with time as

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shown by the gut evacuation curve. This is related with the prevalence of algae in the

same niche with that of sea urchin. Given the large-scale effect of echinoid bioerosion,

other reports found other species associated with sea urchins that further increases the

rate of bioerosion are somehow irrelevant. Corresponding with the rates of grazing and

microboring, macroborers’ rate of bioerosion is minimal in all locations and insignificant

(Tribollet, Decherf, Hutchings, & Peyrot-Clausade, 2002). Lastly, studies regarding the

rates of bioerosion are not prevalent in the Philippines whereas several reef formations

are distributed all over the archipelago. Bak (1990) emphasized the insufficient

information on the Indo-Pacific echinoid bioerosion. The data in the bioerosion of

several reefs are being disregarded thus, to fill in these gaps, this study aims to be one

of the pioneering studies in bioerosion by echinoids in the country, with emphasis on the

determination of individual bioerosion rates by gut extraction, to establish a deeper

understanding of more relevant implications of this process on the marine

environments.

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University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

This study involves a qualitative and quantitative research design. Qualitative

research procedure involves the listing and sorting of sea urchins according to their

respective size classes. On the other hand, quantitative research procedure involves

the treating of echinoid gut content with chemicals such as hydrochloric acid (HCl),

obtaining the initial and final weight of gut content after desiccation and analytical

titration. This is followed by statistical analysis whereas one-way ANOVA will be used to

determine the relationship between size class and bioerosion rate. However, if the

assumptions were not met, Kruskal-Wallis test will be used to determine the difference

in the mean ranks of the class size and amount of calcium carbonate in the gut.

3.2 Respondents / Participants

Samples will be collected in the shallow reef flat where seagrasses are dominant.

Sea urchin of varying class sizes (2 cm, 5 cm, and 7 cm) will be randomly collected in

the study site. All collected specimens will be acclimatized, which is done by starving

the echinoids for 18 to 20 hours. Afterwards, these echinoids will be deployed in the

same site with markers for easy recollection. Five for each class size will be dissected

for gut extraction and chemical analysis.

3.3 Sampling Technique

The sampling technique that will be used is simple random sampling. This

technique will select random species from the populations. This will minimize the bias

that can be incorporated when collecting the samples. Meanwhile, in the selection of

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University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna

sea urchins to be dissected, stratified random sampling method will be employed. This

will aid in getting the most appropriate samples to be dissected without incorporating

any biases.

3.4 Instruments / Devices to be Used

In line with the research design, there are several materials and equipment that

are needed to perform the procedures involved in this study.

For the collection of sea urchins, a shovel will be used to pick-up the specimen

from the substrate and a Vernier caliper will be used to determine the species size that

was collected. Three buckets with seawater will also be needed as a container of the

samples prior to collection in the study site.

Meanwhile, for the extraction of gut, a dissecting kit with scalpel, fine scissor and

scapula will be used. Moreover, small vials will be used as the container of the extracted

gut content.

In the laboratory, the extracted gut samples were transferred from a vial to a petri

dish that is microwaveable. A thermally insulated chamber, or oven, will be used to dry

the gut samples at 60°C which is necessary to minimize the loss of volatile, especially

lipoid, constituents (Bronstein & Loya, 2014). For the chemical treatment, 0.1M HCl will

be used to dissolve the calcium carbonate (Uy, Bongalo, & Dy, 2015).

3.5 Data Gathering Procedure / Implementation

The figure below presents how the flow of gathering data will be done. It will start

by obtaining the needed samples for the acclimatization period until the analysis of the

results of the test.

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 Republic of the Philippines
University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna

Figure 3.1. Flowchart of gathering data.

3.5.1. Collection and Measurement of Samples

For the collection of samples, using a shovel, 30 sea urchins of varying class

sizes were collected from the site. This must be done early in the morning since sea

urchins are nocturnal feeders. Using a Vernier caliper, each sea urchin collected was

measured for its class size by measuring the distance between the two ends of its

diameter then it was sorted according to its class size. The sea urchins were put in their

respective bucket containing seawater based on their class sizes. Afterwards, upon

arrival to the mainland, the urchins were transferred carefully to their respective tanks.

3.5.2. Starvation of the Samples

The sea urchins were put in their respective tank containing seawater with proper

aeration. The urchins were starved for 18 to 20 hours then, the samples were deployed

in the study site. After 20 hours, the samples were collected once again.

3.5.3. Extraction of the Gut

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University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna

Upon retrieval of the samples, five per each class sizes were randomly selected

to be dissected. The gut samples were obtained for each sample by breaking the test

around the Aristotle’s lantern using a dissecting scissor. Afterwards, the gut was

carefully removed, was rinsed with distilled water, and was placed inside a small vial

with 90% ethanol.

3.5.4. Drying and Weighing of the Gut

The gut samples were immediately brought to the laboratory for the chemical

analysis. Each gut samples were transferred in a pre-weighed petri dish. Next, the

samples were dried in an oven at 80°C for 8 hours to completely dry the samples.

3.5.5. Treatment with HCl

The dried gut was weighed after drying. It was then saturated with 0.1 M HCl for

one hour. This is done to dissolve the calcium carbonate. Then, it was filtered through a

pre-weighed Whatman glass fiber filter paper to collect the gut material without calcium

carbonate. The filter with residues was dried and weighed. The change in the weight of

the samples before and after acidification was taken as an estimate of the gut content.

3.6 Statistical Treatment / Analysis

In this study, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with 95% confidence level

will be used to determine if test diameter (class size) have significant effect on the rate

of bioerosion of sea urchins. One-way ANOVA is chosen for analysis since there is only

one factor being tested, which is the class size of echinoids.

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University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna

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