Locomotion and Functional Spine Morphology of the Heart Urchin Brisaster fragilis, with Comparisons to B. latifrons
Joint Authors
Walker, Danielle E.
Gagnon, Jean-Marc
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-9, 9 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-09-22
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
9
Main Subjects
Earth Science , Water and Environment
Abstract EN
The heart urchin Brisaster fragilis is an important bioturbator found in the Estuary and Gulf of St.
Lawrence.
Several adaptations allow it to move within fine sediments (e.g., test shape, spine morphology, and distribution), which are compared here to those of its Pacific sibling species B.
latifrons.
While ventral spatulate spines and dorsal and anterolateral curvilinear spines are similar between the two species, anterior spines differ significantly: sigmoid-shaped for B.
fragilis and curvilinear for B.
latifrons.
This morphological difference, in addition to a narrower plastron for B.
fragilis, suggests a different digging strategy.
In situ video observations of B.
fragilis show a “dig and move” strategy: anterior spines “dig” forward at the sediment while the plastron spines “move” the urchin into the newly created space.
B.
latifrons on the other hand uses an oblique rocking motion.
This suggests that generalizations derived from one or few species displaying similar body shapes may not be possible.
Factors such as sediment depth (i.e., the amount of sediment above the urchin) are likely to affect movement and force the animal to employ a different digging strategy, even within a single species.
The role of spines for locomotion is further discussed, with additional reference to tubercle morphology.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Walker, Danielle E.& Gagnon, Jean-Marc. 2014. Locomotion and Functional Spine Morphology of the Heart Urchin Brisaster fragilis, with Comparisons to B. latifrons. Journal of Marine Sciences،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1041122
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Walker, Danielle E.& Gagnon, Jean-Marc. Locomotion and Functional Spine Morphology of the Heart Urchin Brisaster fragilis, with Comparisons to B. latifrons. Journal of Marine Sciences No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1041122
American Medical Association (AMA)
Walker, Danielle E.& Gagnon, Jean-Marc. Locomotion and Functional Spine Morphology of the Heart Urchin Brisaster fragilis, with Comparisons to B. latifrons. Journal of Marine Sciences. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1041122
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1041122