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

Videos

•Sand Dollar. It’s Alive!