Functional morphology of the musculo-skeletal system of the lantern in the cidarid sea-urchin Stylocidaris ajfinis (Phil.)

The dental apparatus of cidarid echinoids represents one of the two fundamental types of lanterns evolved in the sea-urchins and represents an ideal model to apply the multiple approach of study already proposed for the well-known camarodont type. The lantern of Stylocidaris consists of the usual differently interacting components which display a number of peculiar features from both a macro- and a microstructural point of view. Its remarkable structural adaptations can be related to its peculiar functional properties, their full significance being revealed only when analysed in the context of the integrated biomechanical model.