Equinodermos: What are, characteristics, classification and examples

The echinoderms (Echinodermata Filo) are part of the extensive and diverse Kingdom of Animalsalso known as Animalia Kingdom. They currently have the presence of some 7,000 speciesalthough, throughout the history of the evolution of the biodiversity of the Earth, the echinoderms came to have more than 20,000 species of animals, so that 13,000 of them were extinguished.

Known by some very characteristic and striking groups of animals of ocean fundslike the stars and sea urchins, the great biodiversity that houses the echinodermos makes them one of the most studied edges by zoologists and, without a doubt, more admired by all nature lovers.

In the next sections of this article we will detail information about the multiple characteristics that best define the equinoderms, as well as the classification and some examples of their most representative groups and species.

Now that we know what animals are echinodermos, we will see what are the main characteristics of the echinoderms.

Anatomy of echinoderms

The most outstanding characteristics of echinoderms are, without a doubt, that they are invertebrate animals, the presence of an external skeleton of calcareous origin, their peculiar Pentarradiada symmetry (unique case within the Animalia kingdom) and the thorns they possess in their skin, for which they receive their scientific name: Echino (spine) and dermos (skin).

Where the echinoderms live

The different species that make up the edge of the echinoderms find their natural habitat in the marine and bentonic ecosystems (of the marine depths), throughout the different seas and oceans of the planet. Learn everything about the marine ecosystem: what is, characteristics, flora and fauna.

Echinodermos feed

As for what echinoderms eat, it is worth highlighting the different eating strategies and habits (mainly opportunists) that the different groups of the edge have. Among them stand out:

• The projection of a Evertido stomach with mucosities: in the species of the sea stars (asteroid class).
• The food by filtration of zoo and phytoplankton: of the sea lilies (crinoid class).

Equinodermos breathing

The gaseous exchange is carried out in most echinoderms from a Aquifer vascular system complexbased on the action of a plaque that acts as a hole (motherpress) and the intervention of numerous ducts that allow the effective transport of the aqueous liquid that contains the proteins and nutrients necessary for the survival of the animal.

Echinoderms reproduction

The complex life cycles of the Equinodermos allows them to be able to opt between one reproductive method or another, choosing sometimes:

• External sexual reproduction: With exchange of genetic material with another organism of the opposite sex of the same species.
• Asexual reproduction: Without genetic exchange or the need for another individual to reproduce. In the latter case, the curious process of fisiparity stands out through which some equinoderms species can divide your body into two halves (from a spontaneous fission), each of which will be able to regenerate the rest of your organism by itself. We tell you more about asexual reproduction: what is, types and examples in the following article of Ecology Verde.

As we have already seen the characteristics of the echinoderms, then we will continue with an example of Equinodermo according to their classification.

To know the different types of echinoderms That we can find in marine ecosystems around the world, we must resort to the taxonomic classification that orders them and difference according to their most prominent anatomical and functional characteristics.

In this way, the Current Equinodermos Classification Difference the following classes:

• Asteroid: sea stars.
• Crinoid: sea lilies or sea stars with feathers.
• Echinoid: sea urchins.
• Holothuroid: Holoturias or sea cucumbers.
• Ophiuroid: Officings or snake stars.

In the next section we will put some examples of species that belong to these equinoderms classes to know them more closely.

This edge of the kingdom of animals plays a role of great importance within the Balance of marine ecosystems in those who are. Despite having suffered the extinction of many of the species that were part of the Echinodermata edge, current species fight daily to maintain their position within the evolutionary chain, depending on many occasions on the environmental conditions and characteristics of the habitat, in order to be able to balance their population levels and the correct functioning of their ecological niche.

For all these reasons, human beings must be aware of the importance of echinoderms, respect their lives and habitats and not be participants of any type of anthropic activity that puts at risk the integrity of echinoderms (such as submarineism, snorkeling and other aquatic activities in which we interact with these precious marine animals, as they can be done without bothering them, just observe them).

These are some Examples of equinoderms species:

• Red Espinosa Star (Sopositus Echinaster).
• Red Rabos Sea star (Protoraster Linckii).
• New Zealand marine star (Calamanaria coscinteria).
• Comet Star (Linckia Guildingii).
• Fire hewlzehish (Asthenosoma intermedium).
• Hawaii hedgehog (Heterocentrotus mammillatus).
• Mexican hedgehog (MEXICANUM DIADEMA).
• Marine pork (Centephanus Longispinus).
• Black Holoturia (Holothuria Leucospilota).
• Persiculid Holothuria (Hansenothuria Benti).
• Holothuria Cinerascens.
• Elegant feathers star (TRopiometra Carinata).
• Mediterranean carnation (Mediterranean antedon).
• Sand dollar (Mellita Longifissa).
• OFIURA (Ophiopteris antipodum).

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