Page 32 - 《水产学报》2025年第7期

陈慕雁，等 水产学报, 2025, 49(7): 079102

Research advances in the photoreception systems of Echinoderms

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CHEN Muyan , YANG Hongliang , WANG Yanlin , TIAN Xiang , SUN Lidong 3
1. Key Laboratory of Mariculture, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
2. Fisheries Collge, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
3. Yantai Marine Economic Research Institute, Yantai 264003, China

Abstract: The photoreception system is essential for regulating animal spatial navigation and foraging strategies. Echinoderms
lack specialized photoreceptive organs and instead utilize diffusely distributed photoreceptors to detect and respond to ambient
light stimuli. As key deuterostome invertebrates, they occupy a pivotal phylogenetic position linking protostomes and deutero-
stome vertebrates. Investigating their photoreception provides critical insights into the evolutionary trajectory of bilaterally
symmetrical animals and the molecular regulation of photoresponsive behaviors. This article reviews the morphology and struc-
tural organization of echinoderm photoreception organs, light-sensory behaviors, the identification and characterization of
photoreceptors in echinoderms, as well as the mechanisms by which photoreceptors mediate echinoderm light-sensory behavi-
ors. This review also outlines future research priorities and translational applications of echinoderm photoreception studies,
aiming to advance both sustainable aquaculture practices (including aquaculture enhancement) for high-value species (e.g., sea
urchins, sea cucumbers) and photobehavior-based biocontrol strategies for ecologically disruptive species (e.g., starfish).
Key words: Echinoderm; photoreception; phototactic behavior; photoreceptor
Corresponding author: CHEN Muyan. E-mail: chenmuyan@ouc.edu.cn
Funding projects: National Natural Science Foundation of China (42276103)

中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries https://www.china-fishery.cn
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