[Phenotypic convergence among pentacrines Endoxocrinus and Diplocrinus related to environmental constraints]

Morphological converging and diverging trends are demonstrated using detailed biometric analyses of the skeleton in pentacrinid populations of the Diplocrininae subfamily living in tropical western Atlantic and in the Pacific Ocean. According to environmental data obtained by in situ submersible observations, water flow characteristics (laminar or with eddies) appear to be the main factor controlling phenotypes through ontogeny. Evidence of convergence between different taxa may be explained by ecological niches with eddies.