Abstract
In 7 species of echinoderms, 2 species of polychaetes, and 1 species of oyster with feeding larvae, larger eggs were found to contain more organic matter. Although organic matter per egg increases with egg diameter or volume, it is not proportionate to egg volume, because small eggs have more concentrated organic matter than larger eggs. There appear to be differences among higher taxa in the minimum size of freely spawned eggs. These differences could result from different relationships between mortality and reduced egg size arising from differences between larval feeding mechanisms or differences in size at metamorphosis. An egg has more than five times the organic matter of a diatom of the same size and is thus a bigger meal for suspension feeders.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.