ACID-PHOSPHATASE-ACTIVITY IN THE BODY-WALL OF THE SEA-URCHIN, STRONGYLOCENTROTUS-INTERMEDIUS, CULTURED AT VARYING WATER TEMPERATURES

1. Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity was measured in the body walls of sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius) cultured at varying water temperatures (11, 20 and 26-degrees-C). The ACP activity was not affected by water temperature, but an increase in activity was noted in diseased sea urchin specimens. 2. A positive reaction of ACP was detected in masses of the brown granules mainly localized in the epidermis of the test and appendages. This phenomenon was more conspicuous in diseased sea urchins than in healthy ones. 3. The results of testing for ACP activity, and its localization in terms of effects caused by high water temperatures, indicated that there is little possibility that water temperature is a factor in the onset of spotted disease in S. intermedius.