Abstract
A major adaptive problem among comatulid crinoids is the need for a system of articulation and muscularization of the skeleton which provides rigidity in the cirri, arms, and pinnules for maintaining position and feeding in moving water masses, and also the ability to undergo occasional rapid flexions. Most skeletal ossicles of comatulids are united by so-called ligament fibers, while arm articulations possess masses of muscle as well as ligament. Light and electron microscopic work shows that the ligament consists primarily of collagen fibers. Similarity of this dual system of crinoid arm musculature to the muscles and collagenous catch apparatus of echinoid spines suggests that the crinoid ligaments may provide the needed rigidity to the crinoid skeleton, in a manner similar to that by which the echinoid catch apparatus can hold the spine tightly to the test in one position.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Bosshard, H.: Zur Kenntnis der Verbindungsweise der Skelettstücke der Arme und Ranken von Antedon rosacea Linck (Comatula mediterranea Lam.). Jena. Z. Naturw. 34, 65–112 (1900)
Carpenter, W. B.: Researches on the structure, physiology, and development of Antedon (Comatula, Lamk.) Rosaceus, Pt. 1. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. 156, 671–756 (1866).
Fishelson, L.: Gamete shedding behavior of the feather-star Lamprometra klunzingeri in its natural habitat. Nature, Lond. 219, 1063 (1968).
Freeman, W. P. and S. E. Simon: The histology of holothuroidean muscle. J. cell. comp. Physiol. 63, 25–38 (1964).
Gislèn, T.: Echinoderm studies. Zool. Bidr. Upps. 9, 1–316 (1924).
Harkness, R. D.: Biological functions of collagen. Biol. Rev. 36, 399–463 (1961).
—: Mechanical properties of collagenous tissues. In: Treatise on collagen, Vol. 2A, pp. 248–310. Ed. by B. S. Gould. New York: Academic Press 1968.
Humason, G. L.: Animal tissue techniques, 569 pp. San Francisco: 1967.
Hyman, L. H.: The invertebrates. Vol. 4, Echinodermata, 763 pp. New York: McGraw-Hill 1955.
Kawaguti, S. and Y. Kamishima: Electron microscopy on the spine muscle of the echinoid. Biol. J. Okayama Univ. 11, 31–40 (1965).
Magnus, D. B. E.: Der Federstern Heterometra savignyi im Roten Meer. Natur. Mus., Frankf. 93, 355–394 (1963).
: Ecological and ethological studies and experiments on the echinoderms of the Red Sea. Stud. trop. Oceanogr. Miami 5, 635–664 (1967).
Marks, M., R. S. Baer and C. H. Blake: X-ray diffraction evidence of collagen type protein fibers in the Echinodermata, Coelenterata, and Porifera. J. exp. Zool. 111, 55–78 (1949).
Meyer, D. L.: Functional morphology and autecology of shallow-water unstalked crinoids (Echinodermata) of the Caribbean Sea. Unpublished Ph. D. dissert., Yale Univ. 1971.
Moore, R. C. and R. M. Jeffords: Classification and nomenclature of fossil crinoids based on studies of dissociated parts of their columns. Paleont. Contr. Univ. Kans. (Echinodermata) art. 9, 1–86 (1968).
and T. H. Miller: Morphological features of crinoid columns. Paleont. Contr. Univ. Kans. (Echinodermata) art. 8, 1–30 (1968).
Moss, M. L. and M. M. Meehan: Sutural connective tissues in the test of an echinoid Arbacia punctulata. Acta anat. 66, 279–304 (1967).
Müller, J.: Über den Bau des Pentacrinus Caput-Medusae. Abh. K. Akad. Wiss. Berl. 1, 177–248 (1841).
Randall, J. T., R. D. B. Fraser, S. Jackson, A. Martin and A. North: Aspects of collagen structure. Nature, Lond. 169, 1029–1033 (1952).
Rutman, J. and L. Fishelson: Food composition and feeding behaviour of shallow-water crinoids at Eilat (Red Sea). Mar. Biol. 3, 46–57 (1969).
Takahashi, K.: Properties of the so-called spine muscles of the sea urchin. [In Jap.]. Zool. Mag., Tokyo 73, 359 (1964).
: Muscle physiology. In: Physiology of Echinodermata, pp 513–527. Ed. by R. A. Boolootian. New York: Interscience 1966.
: The catch apparatus of the sea-urchin spine: I. Gross histology. J. Fac. Sci. Tokyo Univ. 11, 109–120 (1967a).
: The catch apparatus of the sea-urchin spine: II. Responses to stimuli. J. Fac. Sci. Tokyo Univ. 11, 121–130 (1967b).
: The ball-and-socket joint of the sea-urchin spine: Geometry and its functional implications. J. Fac. Sci. Tokyo Univ. 11, 131–135 (1967c).
Uexküll, J. von: Die Physiologie des Seeigelstachels. Z. Biol. 39, 73–112 (1900).
Van Sant, J. F. and N. G. Lane: Crawfordsville (Indiana) crinoid studies. Paleont. Contr. Univ. Kans. (Echinodermata) art. 7, 1–136 (1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J.S. Bunt, Miami
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meyer, D.L. The collagenous nature of problematical ligaments in crinoids (Echinodermata). Marine Biology 9, 235–241 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351385
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00351385