Alternate Title
Growth Bands in Test Plates of the Sea Urchins Arbacia punctulata and Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata) on the Central Florida Gulf Coast Shelf
Abstract
Growth bands in test plates provide information about the biology and ecology of sea urchins. We documented the bands in the test plates of Arbacia punctulata and Lytechinus variegatus at different seasons and locations on the central Florida Gulf Coast shelf. The number of growth bands in test plates is significantly correlated with test diameter for A. punctulata. The number of growth bands is not significantly correlated with test diameter for L. variegatus. The condition of the outermost growth band was recorded along with the month and reproductive state to investigate the effect of variation in reproduction and temperature on growth. Growth bands in A. punctulata are well defined and appear to be related to the reproductive cycle. Growth bands in L. variegatus are less well defined and may be more closely related to food availability.
Recommended Citation
Hill, S. K., J. B. Aragona and J. M. Lawrence.
2004.
Growth Bands in Test Plates of the Sea Urchins Arbacia punctulata and Lytechinus variegatus (Echinodermata) on the Central Florida Gulf Coast Shelf.
Gulf of Mexico Science
22
(1).
Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/goms/vol22/iss1/9