Phylum Echinodermata NOTES April 11, 2012 Invertebrate Animals: Echinoderms Textbook: "Echinoderms: The Spiny Misfits' Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Echinodermata echino = spiny dermata = skin Examples: PHYLUM CHARACTERISTICS: *6000 species *All marine with many traits unique invertebrate traits. *Most are Benthic Define: *Planktonic larvae stage Pluteus larvae *Adult Symmetry? What is interesting about echinoderm symmetry over the course of their life? What other phylum has the same symmetry as the adult echinoderm? How does echinoderm symmetry differ from the symmetry of the phylum above? *Endoskeleton Define: *Water Vascular System (unique to this phylum) Function of W.V.S? Tube Foot SEM