VARIATION IN SUSPENSION-FEEDING RATES AMONG LARVAE OF SOME TEMPERATE,EASTERN PACIFIC ECHINODERMS

Larvae of many echinoderms and other benthic marine invertebrates depe nd on ciliary suspension feeding for growth and development, but some larvae may be superior feeding devices (with consequences for variatio n in growth, size, and fitness). I measured differences in feeding per formance among larvae of 9 echinoderm species from 4 taxonomic classes (Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Holothuroidea, Echinoidea). Maximum clearan ce rates (relative to size of the feeding structure) of some larvae we re much higher than the rates of others, indicating substantial variat ion in feeding capabilities among larvae of similar size. In order to interpret these differences in feeding capability, I also give some pr eliminary data on larval form, development, and organic content. Altho ugh incomplete in several respects, these data do not indicate a simpl e relation between larval feeding and growth. This surprising result i ndicates that functional morphology is not always the most appropriate perspective from which to examine variation in growth and development of planktonic larvae.