2009 Volume 57 Issue 3 Pages 371-382
To obtain basic information about propagation for the Chilean sea urchin, Loxechinus albus, distribution of echinopluteus larvae of this species was investigated from 1986 to 1989 in the eastern coastal waters of Chiloé Island, Chile. Echinopluteus larvae of three sea urchins: L. albus, Pseudechinus magellanicus and Arbacia dufresnei were observed in the waters. The larva of L. albus was distinguished from the other two species mainly by the difference in skeletal rod structure. The larvae of this species were observed for almost a year, and the 4-armed larvae appeared mainly from November to January. The metamorphic larvae were observed only once in October 1988 in Hueihue in the investigation period. The number of larval appearance in the southern waters was larger than that in the northern waters.