5 Examples of Echinoderms

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After reading this article you will learn about Examples of Echinoderms

Examples of Echinoderms

Commonly known by star fishes or sea stars
They are star shaped and distributed in all the oceans
The aboral surface bears many spines distributed irregularly
Two arms having madreporite between their bases are called bivium and the other three arms as a trivium
It possesses great power of regeneration and shows autotomy

Ophiura Commonly called Brittle star and usually lives in bottom of sea
The body of Ophiura consists of a star- shaped disc and five highly flexible arms
The water vascular system is almost similar to that of Asterias
There is no special sense organ in Ophiura. The tube-feet are sensory in function.
The sexes are separate and sexual dimorphism is absent.

It is commonly known as sea cucumber lives in shallow waters of the ocean
Body elongated, cylindrical, swollen in the middle and narrow at two ends.
The mouth and anus (cloaca) are situated at opposite ends.
The spines are absent but small calcareous particles are found embedded in the body wall.
Madreporite is internal and the respiratory organ is respiratory tree
Evisceration is a method of autotomy involving the ejection of internal organs used for defensive strategy.
Sexes are separate and development through auricularia larva

It is commonly known as sea urchin and live in shallow water in both rocky and sandy place in sea.
Body is Sub-globular and convex or dome-shaped above and flattened below.
Body is covered over with long, strong, sharp, solid and movable spines
Aristotle’s lantern is mouth part of sea urchine used for mastication
Sexes are separate. Development includes Echinopluteus larva.

Commonly known as sea feather or sea lily and is found in shallow waters attached to rocks or stones
Body comprises a small central disc and 5 branched radial arms
The central disc has a distinct oral and aboral surface
It has greater power of regeneration
Sexes are separate and development includes a Crinoid larva

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