Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Development, settling behaviour, metamorphosis and pentacrinoid feeding and growth of the feather star Florometra serratissima

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Embryonic development of the northeastern Pacific feather star Florometra serratissima takes place within a ridged fertilization membrane. Cleavage is radial, resulting in a coeloblastula, and gastrulations is by invagination. Cilia are swollen terminally during ciliogenesis whereas fully grown cilia possess several swellings along the length of their shafts. Young doliolaria larvae begin to hatch from the fertilization membranes 35 h after fertilization (9.5° to 11.5°C); by 4 d the doliolaria has acquired ciliated bands, a vestibular invagination and an antero-ventral adhesive pit. The surface of the larva is covered with a delicate glycocalyx supported by microvilli. Larvae swim along a vertical sinusoidal path just below the water surface; they begin to explore the substratum at 4.5 d and settlement begins as early as 4.6 d, but can be delayed for up to 9 more days. Larvae settle gregariously in culture and it is suggested that gregarious settlement plays a role in the formation and maintenance of adult aggregations of F. serratissima. Metamorphosis into a stalked cystidean following settlement is rapid. Major changes at this period include: loss of cilia; withdrawal of ectoderm from the glycocalyx; covering over of the vestibular invagination; and a 90 degree rotation of the vestibule to the former posterior end of the doliolaria. Transformation from cystidean to pentacrinoid includes the opening of the 5 oral plates, the extension of the 15 papillate tube feet and further elongation of the stalk. The pentacrinoid is able to feed on small food particles. Rudiments of all 10 adult arms are present by 4 months; at 6 months the pentacrinoid has an arm span of 6.5 mm but cirri and pinnules are not yet present.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Barrois, J.: Recherches sur le développment de la comatule. Recueil Zoologique Suisse 4, 545–651 + plates 25–30 (1888)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boolootian, R. A.: Reproductive cycles. In: Physiology of Echinodermata, pp 561–613. Ed. by R. A. Boolootian. New York: Interscience Publishers 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Bury, H.: The early stages in the development of Antedon rosacea. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. (B.) 179, 257–301 + plates 43–47 (1888)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, W. B.: Researches on the structure, physiology, and development of Antedon (Comatula, Lamk.) rosaceus.—Part 1. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. 156, 671–756 + plates 31–43 (1866)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, W. B.: On the structure, physiology and development of Antedon (Comatula, Lamk.) rosaceus. Proc. R. Soc. 24, 211–231 + plates 8 and 9 (1876)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, H. C.: Antedon. L. M. B. C. Mem. typ. Br. mar. Pl. Anim. 15, 1–47 +7 plates (1907)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, A. H.: A monograph of the existing crinoids. Bull. U.S. natn. Mus. 82, vol. 1, pt. 2, 1–795 +57 plates (1921)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cloney, R. A. and E. Florey: Ultrastructure of cephalopod chromatophore organs. Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat. 89, 250–280 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisp, D. J.: Territorial behaviour in barnacle settlement. J. exp. Biol. 38, 429–446 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dan, J. C. and K. Dan: Early development of Comanthus japonicus. Jap. J. Zool. 9, 565–574 + plates 15–17 (1941)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dan, K.: Echinoderma. In: Invertebrate embryology, pp 280–332. Ed. by M. Kumé and K. Dan. Belgrade: Prosveta Press 1968

    Google Scholar 

  • Fell, H. B.: The direct development of a New Zealand ophiuroid. Q. Jl microsc. Sci. 82, 377–441 (1941)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fell, H. B.: Ecology of crinoids. In: Physiology of Echinodermata, pp 49–62. Ed. by R. A. Boolootian. New York: Interscience Publishers 1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Grave, C.: Embryology of Ophiocoma echinata, Agassiz. Preliminary note. Johns Hopkins Univ. Circ. 18, 6–7 (1898)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, N. D.: An electron microscopic study of the papillae of crinoid tube feet. Pubbl. Staz. Zool. Napoli 37, 575–580 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, N. D.: The fine structure of the embryo during the gastrula stage of Comanthus japonica (Echinodermata: Crinoidea). Tissue and Cell 8, 491–510 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, N. D.: The fine structure of Comanthus japonica (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) from zygote through early gastrula. Tissue and Cell 10, 93–112 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, N. D. and A. Jespersen: The fine structure of the fertilization membrane of the feather star Comanthus japonica (Echinodermata: Crinoidea). Tissue and Cell 5, 209–214 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland, N. D. and H. Kubota: Correlated scanning and transmission electron microscopy of larvae of the feather star Comanthus japonica (Echinodermata: Crinoidea). Trans. Am. Microsc. Soc. 94, 58–70 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyman, L. H.: The invertebrates. Vol. 4. Echinodermata, 763 pp. New York: McGraw-Hill 1955

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubota, H.: Development of Comanthus japonica I. From spawning to attachment (in Japanese). Jap. J. Develop. Biol. 23, 92–93 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubota, H.: Development of Comanthus japonica II. After setting (in Japanese). Jap. J. Develop. Biol. 24, 40–41 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mladenov, P. V.: Development and reproductive biology of the feather star Florometra serratissima (Echinodermata: Crinoidea), 209 pp. Ph.D. thesis, University of Alberta 1981

  • Mortensen, T.: Studies in the development of crinoids. Pap. Tortugas Lab. 16, 1–94 + plates 1–28 (1920a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen, T.: Notes on the development and the larval forms of some Scandinavian echinoderms. Vidensk. Meddr dansk naturh. Foren. 71, 133–160 (1920b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen, T.: Contributions to the study of the development and larval forms of echinoderms III. K. danske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr. (Naturv. Math. Afd.), Series 9, Vol. 7, No. 1, 1–65 + plates 1–15 (1937)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortensen, T.: Contributions to the study of the development and larval forms of echinoderms IV. K. danske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr. (Naturv. Math. Afd.), Series 9, Vol. 7, No. 3, 1–59 +plates 1–12 (1938)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantin, C. F. A.: Notes on microscopical technique for zoologists, 77 pp. Cambridge: University Press 1960

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrier, E.: Mémoire sur l'organisation et le développement de la Comatule de la Mediterranée (Antedon rosacea Linck). Nouv. Archs Mus. Hist. nat., Paris 9, 53–348 + plates 11–20 (1886)

    Google Scholar 

  • Provasoli, L., J. J. A. McLaughlin and M. R. Droop: The development of artificial media for marine algae. Arch. Mikrobiol. 25, 392–428 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Runnström, J.: Weitere Beiträge zur Analyse der Metamorphose von Antedon. Wilhelm Roux Arch. Entwicklungsmech. 121, 714–725 (1930)

    Google Scholar 

  • Seeliger, O.: Studien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Crinoiden. (Antedon rosacea). Zool. Jahrb. Abt. Anat. Ontog. Tiere 6, 161–444 +plates 12–22 (1892)

    Google Scholar 

  • Strathmann, R.: The spread of sibling larvae of sedentary marine invertebrates. Am. Nat. 108, 29–44 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J. V.: Memoir on the star-fish of the genus Comatula, demonstrative of the Pentacrinus europaeus being the young of our indigenous species. Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal 20, 295–300 + 1 plate (1836)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, W.: On the embryogeny of Antedon rosaceus, Linck (Comatula rosacea of Lamarck). Phil. Trans. R. Soc. 155, pt. 2, 513–545 +plate 23–27 (1865)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorson, G.: Light as an ecological factor in the dispersal and settlement of larvae of marine bottom invertebrates. Ophelia 1, 167–208 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Warner, G. F.: Aggregation in echinoderms. In: Systematics association special volume No. 11, Biology and systematics of colonial organisms, pp 375–396. Ed. by G. Larwood and B. R. Rosen. London and New York: Academic Press 1979

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, R. L. and J. H. Luft: The influence of buffer systems on fixation with osmium tetroxide. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 22–45 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, C. M. and L. F. Braithwaite: Larval behaviour and postsettling morphology in the ascidian, Chelyosoma productum Stimpson. J. exp. mar. Bio. Ecol. 42, 157–169 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. P. V. Mladenov

    Present address: Biology Department, Mount Allison University, EOA 3CO, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, The University of Alberta, T6G2E9, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    P. V. Mladenov & F. S. Chia

Authors
  1. P. V. Mladenov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. S. Chia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by R. O. Fournier, Halifax

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mladenov, P.V., Chia, F.S. Development, settling behaviour, metamorphosis and pentacrinoid feeding and growth of the feather star Florometra serratissima . Mar. Biol. 73, 309–323 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392257

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00392257

Keywords

Search

Navigation