Pacific
The only reference to reproduction in echinoderms in the Pacific is that of Pearse
(1968) with D. mexicanum at Cocos Island. He reported that all the individuals
studied showed all gametogenic stages in the gonads, and suggested that the
reproduction occurs year-round. Furthermore, there is no research presently
available on crinoid, asteroid or holothuroid reproduction from the Caribbean or
Pacific coasts.
3.2.4 Pollution
Rojas et al. (1998) studied the effect of coastal pollution at Cahuita coral reef on
the sea cucumber Holothuria mexicana. They determined metal concentrations in
the sea cucumbers and suggested their use as bio-indicators in the future. The
respiratory tree was the structure that showed the highest levels of metals, with the
exception of Cu and Pb which were respectively higher in the muscles and the
body wall, respectively (Rojas-Guitart 1990; Rojas et al. 1998).
3.2.5 Physiology and Anatomy
Lawrence (1967) studied the gut’s lipid reserves of three sea urchins (E. lucunter,
T. ventricosus, and L. variegatus) from Portete (Costa Rica). He calculated the
ratio of the amount of total and neutral lipid (in mg) in the gut with respect to size
of the individuals. Echinometra lucunter had the greatest amounts of total lipid and
neutral lipid. The ratio of total lipid to body size was 1.00 for E. lucunter, while it
was only 0.68 for T. ventricosus and 0.40 for L. variegatus. Also, E lucunter had
the highest gonad index, test index, and lantern index. Tripneustes ventricosus
appears to be the most fragile of the three urchins because its test and lantern
indices were the lowest. The high levels of neutral lipid found are comparable to
that in the gut of temperate urichins, such as Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
purpuratus, and higher than that in the gut of Stomopneustes variolaris.
Hendler (1984b) made the first report of color change in brittlestars. He studied
individuals of all the Caribbean species of the genus Ophiocoma: O. echinata,
O. paucigranulata, O. pumila and O. wentii. All four species were found to change
color in natural light regimes. Color change was observed in situ at Panamá, while
experimental data was recorded from individuals at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize.
He observed five individuals of each Ophicoma species in order to document diel
color-change. He also analyzed severed arms of O. wendtii and other individuals
with broken arms in order to find out if isolated arms would maintain the same
pattern of color-change as intact individuals. Additionally, portions of dorsal arm
plates chipped from O. wendtii arms were examined to find whether the chips
90
J. J. Alvarado et al.
The only reference to reproduction in echinoderms in the Pacific is that of Pearse
(1968) with D. mexicanum at Cocos Island. He reported that all the individuals
studied showed all gametogenic stages in the gonads, and suggested that the
reproduction occurs year-round. Furthermore, there is no research presently
available on crinoid, asteroid or holothuroid reproduction from the Caribbean or
Pacific coasts.
3.2.4 Pollution
Rojas et al. (1998) studied the effect of coastal pollution at Cahuita coral reef on
the sea cucumber Holothuria mexicana. They determined metal concentrations in
the sea cucumbers and suggested their use as bio-indicators in the future. The
respiratory tree was the structure that showed the highest levels of metals, with the
exception of Cu and Pb which were respectively higher in the muscles and the
body wall, respectively (Rojas-Guitart 1990; Rojas et al. 1998).
3.2.5 Physiology and Anatomy
Lawrence (1967) studied the gut’s lipid reserves of three sea urchins (E. lucunter,
T. ventricosus, and L. variegatus) from Portete (Costa Rica). He calculated the
ratio of the amount of total and neutral lipid (in mg) in the gut with respect to size
of the individuals. Echinometra lucunter had the greatest amounts of total lipid and
neutral lipid. The ratio of total lipid to body size was 1.00 for E. lucunter, while it
was only 0.68 for T. ventricosus and 0.40 for L. variegatus. Also, E lucunter had
the highest gonad index, test index, and lantern index. Tripneustes ventricosus
appears to be the most fragile of the three urchins because its test and lantern
indices were the lowest. The high levels of neutral lipid found are comparable to
that in the gut of temperate urichins, such as Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
purpuratus, and higher than that in the gut of Stomopneustes variolaris.
Hendler (1984b) made the first report of color change in brittlestars. He studied
individuals of all the Caribbean species of the genus Ophiocoma: O. echinata,
O. paucigranulata, O. pumila and O. wentii. All four species were found to change
color in natural light regimes. Color change was observed in situ at Panamá, while
experimental data was recorded from individuals at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize.
He observed five individuals of each Ophicoma species in order to document diel
color-change. He also analyzed severed arms of O. wendtii and other individuals
with broken arms in order to find out if isolated arms would maintain the same
pattern of color-change as intact individuals. Additionally, portions of dorsal arm
plates chipped from O. wendtii arms were examined to find whether the chips
90
J. J. Alvarado et al.