Food and Feeding Mechanisms: Echinoidea

Abstract

The Aristotle's lantern is adapted for biting, tearing and rasping and can function also as a 'grab'. Although some planktonic prey may be captured, the major restriction of the diet of regular echinoids is to non-motile food. The capture of drift material by Echinostrephus molaris, which lives in deep hollows burrowed into corals or limestone, has been described in detail by Campbell. Feeding mechanisms have been studied mainly in species of the second group. Only the most basic features of feeding mechanisms have been described for the few most available representatives of the group. The orientation and morphology of primary elements explain the resistance of the tooth to pressures and tensions developed during use. Lantern muscles are attached to the pyramids or the epiphyses, and to the test. At the level of the test, muscles are attached to calcareous processes or lantern supports, which form the perignathic girdle.

Topics & Concepts