In: Biology
The phylum Echinodermata has several synapomorphies, but each subgroup modifies these synapomorphies and thus it is difficult to relate these groups.
a) List three synapomorphies for the phylum Echinodermata.
b) For each of the synapomorphies you list, how do you expect those features to differ between the asteroids and holothuroids?
c) For the phylum Echinodermata, which class do you think is most similar? Why?
d) What phyla were the Echinodermata historically confused with, and why? Which do they most relate to and how is this known?
Solution:
A) The echinoderm or spiny-skinned animals represent a group of marine invertebrates.
The important synapomorphies exhibited by echinoderms are 1) Radial symmetry, 2) Presence of calcium rich ossicle plates and 3) Well developed and unique water vascular system. These ar the important three synapomorphies for the phylum Echinodermata.
B) The asteroids comes under the class Asteroidea and holothurids comes under the class Holothuroidea. Sea star and Sea cucumber repectively represents the the classes Asteroidea and Holothuroidea. Regarding the symmetry exhibitted by sea stars, members of different families diverge from this theory by having more than five arms on the other hand holothurids diverged from this convention by exhibiting a superficial bilateral organization as a scondary modification. In the case of calcium rich ossicle plates, the sea urchins (holothurids) diverged by reducing it into widely separated micoscopic plates. Also most kinds of holothurids have tube feet in addition to tentacles.
C) Most similar classes among phylum Echinodermata are class Asteroidea and class Ophiuroidea. Prominent examples of these classes include, Star fish unde the class Asteroidea and brittle stars under the class Ophiuroidea. Both of them shares many common features icluding their prey capture mechanism in which both uses tube feet for prey capturing. Also in both the animals the sexes are separate. Along with that individuals from both classes brood their young ones in special cavities. These made the two classes similar.
D) Echinoderms are historically confused with phylum chordata. Because both exhibits deutrostomic development. Most other invertebrates exhibit protostomic development.