The word Echinoderm is taken from the Greek word “Ekhinos” which means “spiny” and “derm” which means “skin”. The endoskeleton of these animals consists of Calciferous ossicles, which is why these are known as Echinoderms. This Phylum has an organ system level of organization.
Phylum Echinodermata organisms are normally called Echinoderm. The echinoderm larva is bilaterally symmetrical and adult echinoderm show radial symmetry. Phylum Echinodermata contains 7000 different species and is placed under the second largest phylum after Phylum Chordata. Echinodermata contain mainly all marine organisms. They are found on the sea bed of every ocean in between the intertidal the abyssal zone. Echinoderm plays an important role ecologically and geologically. Examples of Echinodermata-Marine Stas, Sea Urchins, Starfish, etc.
Characteristics of Echinodermata
- Habitat: Echinoderms live in marine habitats. They generally live at the bottom of the sea. They may be Sessile (fixed in one place) and pelagic (free-swimming).
- Body Structure: The body shape of the echinoderms varies greatly. They may be star-shaped (starfish), cylindrical (sea cucumber), or spherical (sea urchin). Their body lacks a head. The body is covered by spines.
- Symmetry: The symmetry of adult echinoderms is radial, while of larvae it is bilateral. Radial symmetry means that the body parts are arranged in fives or multiples of five.
- Body Cavity: They have a true coelom and are triploblastic (the body is derived from 3 layers of cells: Ectoderm, Mesoderm, and Endoderm).
- Epidermis: It is ciliated and single-layered. It contains hair-like projections (cilia) that produce a waving motion and helps to carry the food particles toward the mouth and remove unwanted particles from the body. Many of these animals bear spines that are protective and help to keep the body clean from debris and tiny organisms.
- Digestive System: Their digestive system is complete with a mouth on the lower side (ventrally located) and an anus on the upper side (dorsally located). However, in brittle stars the digestive system is incomplete.
- Water Vascular System: Also known as Ambulacral System. This is the most distinctive characteristic of Echinoderms. This system consists of Tube-feet that help in locomotion, respiration, and food & waste transportation.
- Excretory System: This system is absent in Echinoderms. However, their nitrogenous waste which is Ammonia diffuses out through the respiratory surfaces, i.e., tube feet.
- Sexes and Fertilization: The sexes are separate in most Echinoderms. Reproduction takes place sexually. The fertilization is usually external. The larva is free-swimming and its development is indirect (in this type of development, the larva is hatched from the egg and it develops into a matured individual without undergoing metamorphosis). However, some echinoderms reproduce asexually by fragmentation, eg., sea stars.
- Regeneration: It is a process in which organisms regenerate or form the damaged and lost body part or organ. Species of Echinodermata show the regeneration process. Example- Starfish
- Locomotion: Tube feet of echinoderm help in locomotion.
- Echinoderm shows indirect development.
Classification of Echinodermata
The echinoderms are classified into 5 sub-classes:
Asteroidea (Sea stars)
- These are generally freely motile and use tube feet for locomotion. (Tube feet are small suction cups that are controlled by the water vascular system).
- They have a flattened star-shaped body with 5 arms.
- Young ones have bilateral symmetry, while adults have radial symmetry.
- They have regeneration ability.
- Pedicellaria (defensive claw-shaped appendage with movable valves) is present. They help to clean the body of small parasites and debris free.
- Examples: Asterias, Zoroaster, etc.
Crinoidea (sea lilies or feather stars)
- They have radial symmetry.
- Their body shape is cup-like with 5 or more bifurcated arms. The arms have feathery projections, known as pinnules, and contain reproductive organs and numerous tube feet.
- Their tube feet have no suckers.
- Pedicellariae and spines are absent.
- Examples: Articulata, Comatulida, etc.
Echinoidea (sea urchins and sand dollars)
- They are radially symmetrical.
- They have an egg-shaped body that is hemispherical.
- They have skeletal plates with many movable spines and 3-jawed pedicellariae.
- They have tube feet but lack arms.
- Examples: Sea Urchin, Echinus, Cidaris, etc.
Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers)
- These are soft-bodied and lack arms.
- They have bilateral symmetry.
- They are elongated and cylindrical in shape and possess tube feet with suckers.
- Spines and pedicellariae are absent.
- Examples: Holothurian, Royal Cucumber, etc.
Ophiuroidea (brittle stars and basket stars)
- Pentaradial symmetry is present.
- Their tube feet do not have suckers.
- Respiration takes place from Bursae.
- They have an internal calcium carbonate skeleton.
- E.g., Euryalida, Ophiurida, etc.
Examples of Echinodermata
- Starfish
- Sea Urchin
- Brittle Stars
- Sand Dollars
Significances of Echinodermata
As Food
Echinoderms in 2019 were mainly harvested for seafood. Generally, Sea Cucumber and Sea urchins predominate followed by the other Echinoderms. In China, Sea Cucumber is used for gelatinous soups. Gonads of Sea Urchin were consumed by the people of Japan and France.
As Medicine
Sea Urchins and Sea Cucumbers mainly use as seafood, but in Classic Chinese Medicines they are also used for medical purposes.
In Research
Because of the healthy and strong larvae of Sea Urchin, they are widely used in the research field. It is a model organism in developmental biology or embryological studies.
- Sea Urchin sperms are used for the study of fertilization of the ovum.
- Arm of Brittle Star is used to study neurodegenerative disorders.
Others
- Echinoderms having calcareous shells are used as a source of lime by the farmers.
- Starfish are used as a source of food for other organisms.
- Starfish are used as dried specimens or as art.
FAQs on Echinodermata
Question 1: What makes a sea star turn rigid?
Answer:
Tube feet in the water vascular system of sea stars become stiff when water is pushed into them, making the sea star rigid.
Question 2: Which type of symmetry is found in Echinoderms?
Answer:
Radial symmetry is found in adults, while Bilateral symmetry is found in the larval stage of the Echinodermata phylum.
Question 3: Write four distinguishing characters of phylum echinodermata.
Answer:
Features of Echinodermata are:
- Echinoderm shows Radial Symmetry during the adult stage and Bilateral during the larval stage.
- Echinoderm has the ability to regenerate.
- Echinoderms are marine organisms.
- Echinoderms are coelmates.
Question 4: How do echinoderms move?
Answer:
Echinoderm move with the help of tube feet.
Question 5: Do Echinoderms have the power of Regeneration?
Answer:
Many Echinoderms regenerate their organs with time. Example-Sea Urchin regenerates the spine if it’s lost or damaged.