Phylum Echinodermata - thegreenisle.wikispaces.comthegreenisle.wikispaces.com/file/view/Phylum+Echinodermata.pdf... · All echinoderms are marine organisms ... locomotion and getting
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Echinodermata
All echinoderms are marine organisms
7,000+ species
Ex: starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers
and sand dollars.
Characteristics
Most exhibit pentamerous radial symmetry (can be divided into 5 equal parts from a central axis)
During development, they go through bipinnaria larva stage (bilateral symmetry – suggests evolution from a bilateral symmetrical ancestor)
Have tube feet with suction disks used in locomotion and getting food.
Characteristics cont…
Has an endoskeleton to protect it’s soft
tissues and is where muscles attach
Spiny projections (Echinoderm means
“spiny skin”)
Major unifying characteristic is their water
vascular system. Interconnecting, fluid
filled tubes that act like a hydraulic
pressure system
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