Ossicle Morphology of four Sea Star Species of the Genus Astropecten (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) and its Bearing on the Investigation of a Predator's Diet

Abstract. The ossicle morphology of four sea star species of the genus Astropecten occurring in Sardinia, Italy, was investigated. Medial inferomarginals are species specific in structure, and readily differentiated by observation at low magnification in the field. Body sizes of ingested sea stars can be assessed from the size of remains such as mouth plates and selected inferomarginals, providing a basis for quantifying predation impact upon those species. We applied this method to Astropecten aranciacus L. which is common in the Mediterranean Sea.     

中国热带6种海参骨片的种类和形态研究

利用扫描电子显微镜对我国6种热带海参(蛇目白尼参、玉足海参、花刺参、梅花参、子安辐肛参和巨梅花参)背脊部骨片的组成和结构进行了观察。结果表明,蛇目白尼参骨片有3种类型的花纹样体和1种杆状体;玉足海参骨片有2种类型的桌形体和1种扣形体;花刺参骨片有2种类型的桌形体、1种C形体和1种花纹样体;梅花参骨片有4种类型的杆状体;子安辐肛参骨片有1种花纹样体;巨梅花参骨片有1种杆状体、1种拟桌形体和1种颗粒体。结果显示,与之前学者光镜下观察的结果存在差异,玉足海参桌形体底盘中央是单孔而非4孔;花刺参桌形体立柱之间没有横梁连接。并发现了新的骨片类型:蛇目白尼参Ⅲ型花纹样体和杆状体;玉足海参顶部周缘小孔桌形体;花刺参顶部5簇小齿桌形体;梅花参Ⅱ型、Ⅲ型、Ⅳ型杆状体。