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Induction of Metamorphosis in the Sea Urchin Holopneustes purpurascens by a Metabolite Complex from the Algal Delisea pulchra. Most benthic invertebrates have complex life cycles with planktonic larvae that return to the substratum to settle and metamorphose into a benthic stage. Although naturally produced chemical cues have long been thought to be important for the settlement or metamorphosis of invertebrate lavae,few ecologically relevant chemical cues have been clearly identified.The marine echinoid Holopneustes purpurascens has a complex life cycle,with a planktonic,nonfeeding dispersive larva that metamorphoses into the benthic stage that lives in the canopy of subtidal benthic algae such as the red alga.
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