Feeding Behavior and Ecology of Shallow-Water Unstalked Crinoids (Echinodermata) in the Caribbean Sea
Meyer DL. 1973. Feeding Behavior and Ecology of Shallow-Water Unstalked Crinoids (Echinodermata) in the Caribbean Sea. Marine Biology. 22:105-129
The feeding behavior, living position, and skeletal morphology of 8 species of reef-dwelling Caribbean comatulid crinoids are intimately related to the regime of water movement prevailing in the microhabitat. These adaptations are related to the dependence of the crinoid suspension-feeding mechanism on externallv produced water movements for a continuous food supply: Greater numbers of co-occurring comatulid species (6 to 7) and larger populations have been found off Colombia and Panama than off Curagao and Jamaica (4 species). It is suggested that these differences may be related to increased or diversified primary productivity close to the larger land masses. Overall food availability as determined by primary productivity may, thus, be an important factor controlling the regional diversity and abundance of these species.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Meyer, D.
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Articulata, Comatulid, population counts, Primary Productivity, Skeletal Morphology