Temperature and pressure tolerances of embryos and larvae of the Antarctic sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri (Echinodermata: Echinoidea): potential for deep-sea invasion from high latitudes

These data suggest that the embryonic and larval stages of S. neumayen are capable of surviving low temperatures in surface waters, but only tolerate higher pressures when water column temperatures are >O°C. Such a pattern of temperature increase is seen in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water in the Weddell Sea and we infer that the larvae of S. neumayen are capable of penetrating the deep sea through the agency of this deep water formation.