Discovery of simultaneously recruiting populations of Microphiopholis atra and
Hemipholis elongata in the Gulf of Mexico has allowed a morphological comparison of their
post-settlement juveniles by light microscopy and SEM. Based on comparison of size distributions,
H.elongata probably settled over a longer period than M.atra. The smallest specimens
of M.atra (vs. H.elongata) were distinguished by lack (presence) of an oral gape,
presence of hooked dorsal (ventral) arm spines, dorsal (ventral) coil of the arms, absence
(presence) of tentacle scales, and a flattened (convex) disc. Infradental papillae were
visible by SEM in M.atra of disc diameter (d.d.) 0.44 mm. At d.d. 0.63 mm, the two species
were distinguishable by the plating of the ventral interradius. Other characters used to
separate the species appeared in larger specimens. This and other recent studies of juvenile
ophiuroid morphology should encourage benthic ecologists to attempt species identifications
of these critical life-history stages.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
A. A. Balkema.
Date Issued
1988
Note
Language
Type
Genre
Form
Extent
12 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00007373
Additional Information
Discovery of simultaneously recruiting populations of Microphiopholis atra and
Hemipholis elongata in the Gulf of Mexico has allowed a morphological comparison of their
post-settlement juveniles by light microscopy and SEM. Based on comparison of size distributions,
H.elongata probably settled over a longer period than M.atra. The smallest specimens
of M.atra (vs. H.elongata) were distinguished by lack (presence) of an oral gape,
presence of hooked dorsal (ventral) arm spines, dorsal (ventral) coil of the arms, absence
(presence) of tentacle scales, and a flattened (convex) disc. Infradental papillae were
visible by SEM in M.atra of disc diameter (d.d.) 0.44 mm. At d.d. 0.63 mm, the two species
were distinguishable by the plating of the ventral interradius. Other characters used to
separate the species appeared in larger specimens. This and other recent studies of juvenile
ophiuroid morphology should encourage benthic ecologists to attempt species identifications
of these critical life-history stages.
Hemipholis elongata in the Gulf of Mexico has allowed a morphological comparison of their
post-settlement juveniles by light microscopy and SEM. Based on comparison of size distributions,
H.elongata probably settled over a longer period than M.atra. The smallest specimens
of M.atra (vs. H.elongata) were distinguished by lack (presence) of an oral gape,
presence of hooked dorsal (ventral) arm spines, dorsal (ventral) coil of the arms, absence
(presence) of tentacle scales, and a flattened (convex) disc. Infradental papillae were
visible by SEM in M.atra of disc diameter (d.d.) 0.44 mm. At d.d. 0.63 mm, the two species
were distinguishable by the plating of the ventral interradius. Other characters used to
separate the species appeared in larger specimens. This and other recent studies of juvenile
ophiuroid morphology should encourage benthic ecologists to attempt species identifications
of these critical life-history stages.
Florida Atlantic University. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contribution 599
This manuscript is an author version with the final publication available
and may be cited as: Turner, R. L. & Miller, J. E. (1988). Post-metamorphic recruitment and
morphology of two sympatric brittlestars. In R. D. Burke, P. V. Mladenov, P. Lambert, & R. L. Parsley
(Eds.), Proceedings of the Sixth International Echinoderm Conference, Victoria, 23-28 August 1987 (pp.
493-502). Rotterdam; Brookfield, VT: A. A. Balkema.
and may be cited as: Turner, R. L. & Miller, J. E. (1988). Post-metamorphic recruitment and
morphology of two sympatric brittlestars. In R. D. Burke, P. V. Mladenov, P. Lambert, & R. L. Parsley
(Eds.), Proceedings of the Sixth International Echinoderm Conference, Victoria, 23-28 August 1987 (pp.
493-502). Rotterdam; Brookfield, VT: A. A. Balkema.
Date Backup
1988
Date Text
1988
Date Issued (EDTF)
1988
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00007373
Organizations
Attributed name: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Person Preferred Name
Turner, Richard L.
Physical Description
12 p.
Title Plain
Post-metamorphic recruitment andmorphology of two sympatric brittlestars
Origin Information
1988
A. A. Balkema.
Brookfield, VT
Place
Brookfield, VT
Title
Post-metamorphic recruitment andmorphology of two sympatric brittlestars
Other Title Info
Post-metamorphic recruitment andmorphology of two sympatric brittlestars