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Scaling of aristotle's lantern in sea urchins Lytechinus and Tripneustes

Abstract:

The weights of the demipyramid, rotula, epiphysis of the lantern and test diameter were measured for Lytechinus variegatus, L. pictus, L. semituberculatus, L. williamsi and Tripneustes gratilla. Compared to a slope of 1, the slopes of all regressions of diameter: weight are significantly greater than one. Compared to a slope of 3 (diameter: volume), the slopes of the epiphysis and rotula of L. wiliamsi and all components of T. gratilla are significantly less than 3. For all other groups, the slopes are not significantly different from 3. As ANCOVA assumptions were met, differences in body size are corrected for in comparisons of species. All components are largest in the smallest species, L. williamsi, and smallest in the largest species, T. gratilla, suggesting a genetic basis and interrelated scaling. All components are larger in L. variegatus from Panama than those from Florida, which could have a genetic and/or environmental basis. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group.