Variation in suspension feeding rates among larvae of some temperate, eastern Pacific echinoderms
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| Authors: | Hart, MW |
| Year: | 1996 |
| Journal: | Invertebrate Biology 115: 30-45 |
| Title: | Variation in suspension feeding rates among larvae of some temperate, eastern Pacific echinoderms |
| Abstract: | Larvae of many echinoderms and other benthic marine invertebrates depend on ciliary suspension feeding for growth and development, but some larvae may be superior feeding devices (with consequences for variation in growth, size, and fitness). I measured differences in feeding performance among larvae of 9 echinoderm species from 4 taxonomic classes (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Holothuroidea, Echinoidea). Maximum clearance rates (relative to size of the feeding structure) of some larvae were much higher than the rates of others, indicating substantial variation in feeding capabilities among larvae of similar size. In order to interpret these differences in feeding capability, I also give some preliminary data on larval form, development, and organic content. Although incomplete in several respects, these data do not indicate a simple relation between larval feeding and growth. This surprising result indicates that functional morphology is not always the most appropriate perspective from which to examine variation in growth and development of planktonic larvae. |
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