Echinoderms and Deuterostomes

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to deuterostomes and echinoderms.

Deuterostome

A member of a clade in animal embryology where the blastopore becomes the anus during gastrulation.

Radial Symmetry

A body plan in which body parts are arranged around a central axis, typically seen in adult echinoderms.

Endoskeleton

An internal skeleton found in echinoderms made of calcareous ossicles or plates.

Asteroidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea stars, which are typically predators or scavengers.

Ophiuroidea

A class of echinoderms that includes brittle stars, known for their central disc and flexible arms.

Echinoidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea urchins and sand dollars, characterized by their globular or flattened bodies.

Holothuroidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea cucumbers, known for their elongated, soft bodies.

Crinoidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea lilies and feather stars, often filter feeders.

Dioecious

Having separate sexes, as seen in most echinoderms.

Water Vascular System

A unique hydraulic system in echinoderms that powers their tube feet for movement, feeding, and gas exchange.

Regeneration

The ability of certain echinoderms to regrow lost limbs or even entire bodies from a single arm if sufficient central tissue remains.

Keystone Predator

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, such as sea stars in coral reef environments.

Deuterostome

A member of a clade in animal embryology where the blastopore becomes the anus during gastrulation.

Radial Symmetry

A body plan in which body parts are arranged around a central axis, typically seen in adult echinoderms.

Endoskeleton

An internal skeleton found in echinoderms made of calcareous ossicles or plates.

Asteroidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea stars, which are typically predators or scavengers.

Ophiuroidea

A class of echinoderms that includes brittle stars, known for their central disc and flexible arms.

Echinoidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea urchins and sand dollars, characterized by their globular or flattened bodies.

Holothuroidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea cucumbers, known for their elongated, soft bodies.

Crinoidea

A class of echinoderms that includes sea lilies and feather stars, often filter feeders.

Dioecious

Having separate sexes, as seen in most echinoderms.

Water Vascular System

A unique hydraulic system in echinoderms that powers their tube feet for movement, feeding, and gas exchange.

Regeneration

The ability of certain echinoderms to regrow lost limbs or even entire bodies from a single arm if sufficient central tissue remains.

Keystone Predator

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem, such as sea stars in coral reef environments.

Tube Feet

Small, sucker-like appendages of echinoderms, part of the water vascular system, used for locomotion, feeding, and respiration.

Madreporite

A sieve-like plate on the aboral surface of echinoderms (e.g., sea stars) that serves as the intake for the water vascular system.

Bilateral Symmetry (Larval Echinoderms)

The body plan exhibited by echinoderm larvae, contrasting with the radial symmetry of the adult form and providing clues to their evolutionary lineage.