The Marine Biome Marine Invertebrates: Echinodermata
The Marine BiomeMarine Invertebrates:Echinodermata
Echinodermata
•Sea Stars•Sea Urchins•Sand Dollars•Sea Cucumbers
Body Type
•Radial symmetry
•Lack a brain and sensing organs
•Mouth is on underside of the body
•No “real” eyes, but are sensitive to light
•Regeneration abilities
Motion
•Thousands of tiny tube feet.
•Many have suctions cups on the ends.
Food
•Urchins are omnivores▫Mostly seaweed
•Stars are carnivores / scavengers▫Mussels, clams, oysters, dying fish
•Some rays, sharks and other large, bony fish are predators.
•Crabs will pick off urchins’ spines to get to the flesh.
Importance
•For the Biome: ▫Efficient scavengers on ocean floor
Examples
•Conical Sea Cucumber
Examples
•Cushion Star
Examples
•Orange Starfish
Examples
•Sunflower Starfish
Examples
•Feather Stars
Examples
•Brittle Star
Examples
•Basket Star
Examples
•Sea Urchin