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Echinoderms display morphological and behavioural phenotypic plasticity in response to their trophic environment.
Adam D Hughes1, Lars Brunner, Elizabeth J Cook
1Department of Ecology, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Argyll, Scotland. adam.hughes@sams.ac.uk
Plos One
|August 8, 2012
Summary
Sea urchins display remarkable trophic plasticity, adapting their morphology and behavior to different diets. This adaptability influences marine ecosystem stability and resilience, even in degraded habitats like urchin barrens.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Ecosystem Dynamics
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Sea urchins drive phase shifts in benthic marine habitats, leading to kelp forest destruction and persistent 'urchin barrens'.
- Trophic plasticity in sea urchins may enhance ecosystem stability by broadening their diet and influencing species interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that sea urchins exhibit significant trophic plasticity.
- To investigate phenotypic changes in sea urchins under contrasting trophic conditions, controlling for environmental and genetic factors.
Main Methods:
- A genetically homogenous sea urchin population was exposed to two distinct trophic environments for two years.
- Morphological differences (gross morphology, test microstructure) and behavioral responses to novel prey were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Sea urchins demonstrated substantial phenotypic trophic plasticity, developing distinct morphological traits.
- The two groups exhibited different responses when presented with unfamiliar prey, indicating behavioral plasticity.
- These changes occurred independently of environmental or nutritional status, highlighting inherent plasticity.
Conclusions:
- Sea urchins possess significant morphological and behavioral phenotypic plasticity.
- This plasticity is independent of environmental or nutritional status, suggesting an intrinsic capacity for adaptation.
- Trophic plasticity in sea urchins can influence the stability and resilience of marine ecosystems, particularly in altered habitats.
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