Fig. 3. Box plots of Philaster-like 28S rRNA loads determined by qPCR for different sample types (body wall, spine base, coelomic fluid, gonad, digestive tract, and >0.2-μm particles collected immediately above urchins) acquired from different specimen types.

The number of specimens surveyed is indicated below box plots. a, b, and c denote groups that are not statistically different (Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s post hoc correction for multiple comparisons). The AAS box plots are shaded gray to highlight results from abnormal specimens. NRS, grossly normal at reference site; NAS, grossly normal at affected site; AAS, abnormal at affected site.