eCite Digital Repository
Larval settlement in echinoderms: a review of processes and patterns
Citation
Doll, PC and Caballes, CF and Hoey, AS and Uthicke, S and Ling, SD and Pratchett, MS, Larval settlement in echinoderms: a review of processes and patterns, Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, Taylor & Francis, SJ Hawkins (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 435-496. ISBN 9781032265056 (2022) [Research Book Chapter]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2022 The Authors
Official URL: https://www.routledge.com/Oceanography-and-Marine-...
DOI: doi:10.1201/9781003288602-9
Abstract
Echinoderms are a common component of benthic marine ecosystems, with many
being ecologically and/or economically important. Like many marine organisms, most echinoderms
have a bipartite life history with a planktonic larval phase and a benthic adult phase. The
transition between these phases (i.e. settlement) is complex and comprises a cascade of events
including the location, exploration and selection of suitable benthic habitat, and metamorphosis to
adapt from a pelagic to a benthic lifestyle. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the
various processes involved in the settlement phase across all five extant classes of echinoderms.
Central to the review is a detailed assessment of settlement behaviour and the diverse mechanisms
of settlement induction. Most echinoderms, including keystone sea urchins, starfishes and
sea cucumbers, do not settle indiscriminately; specific environmental conditions or cues are often
necessary for settlement to occur, resulting in marked spatial and temporal variability in settlement
rates. Fluctuations in settlement, in turn, lead to major changes in the local abundance of
echinoderms and often have profound ecological consequences, due to the pivotal role that many
echinoderms play in ecosystem functioning. Given important knowledge gaps persist, this review
also explores opportunities for future research to advance our understanding of this critical early
life-history phase.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Research Book Chapter |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | marine ecology, environmental cues, settlement induction, larval behaviour, metamorphosis, recruitment, marine benthic invertebrates |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecology |
| Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Control of pests, diseases and exotic species in coastal and estuarine environments |
| UTAS Author: | Ling, SD (Dr Scott Ling) |
| ID Code: | 154206 |
| Year Published: | 2022 |
| Funding Support: | Australian Research Council (FT200100949) |
| Deposited By: | Ecology and Biodiversity |
| Deposited On: | 2022-11-10 |
| Last Modified: | 2022-12-05 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
Repository Staff Only: item control page