SCALING OF THE PIECES OF THE ARISTOTLES LANTERN IN FIVE SPECIES OF STRONGYLOCENTROTUS (ECHINODERMATA, ECHINOIDEA)

摘要

The lengths of the demipyramids and rotules and the weights of the demipyramids, rotules, epiphyses, compasses, and teeth of the Aristotle's lantern from Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, S. franciscanus, S. intermedius, S. nudus and S. purpuratus over a size range of 46-76 mm horizontal diameter were measured. The rates of increase in size of the lantern pieces of S. franciscanus when scaled with increase in body size are greater than those of the other species. The growth of S. franciscanus to a much larger body size and its continued increase in relative gonadal production at a size at which it ceases in S. intermedius and S. purpuratus may result from a greater feeding capacity related to the size of the lantern pieces. [References: 36]