Unveiling the Journey of Echinodermata: The Diverse and Fascinating

Phylum of Marine Invertebrates

Prepared by:

Zabrea Wenn A. Ricaforte

Apple Mae V. Kundiman

John Paul C. Pang-an

Khrisna T. Rivera

Angeline Benatero

Trisha Mae Vicente

Janray V. Marcelo
INTRODUCTION

Echinoderms are named after the echinoderm spines or tubercles that cover the outside
of many of their bodies (Greek root echino- meaning thorn; Latin root -derm meaning skin).
Examples of echinoderms are starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars and feather stars.
Echinoderms are found in deep seas and intertidal areas. An interesting feature of the
Echinodermata family is that all organisms in this family are marine animals. They are
multicellular organisms with well-developed organ systems. All animals belonging to this family
have the same characteristics.

They are colorful organisms with a unique shape. They are ecologically and geologically
very important. The fascinating Phylum of Echinodermata are comprised with different
classification namely; Crinoidea, Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea. Adult
echinoderms do not have a sensory head region; however, they have a nerve ring and various
forms of sensory perception.Despite having a simple one-way digestive system, some groups
still follow dietary patterns that vary greatly. They are one of the most successful groups of
invertebrates, and some classes (especially crinoids and echinoids) have a significant number of
fossils.

Echinoderms were ecologically, taxonomically and morphologically diverse during the

Cambrian and Ordovician periods, approximately 541-444 million years ago. During the early
Paleozoic, they contained more than 30 different clades. This extreme diversity of forms
provides both an ideal model to study evolutionary dynamics and a peculiar challenge to
quantify their morphology (Deline, B., et al., 2020). The Phylum Echinodermata, which includes
approximately 7,000 living and 13,000 fossil species Encapsulates familiarity of these fishes,
considered an integral part of the marine ecosystem. The evolutionary history of echinoderms
is well documented with an extensive fossil record dating back more than 500 million years to
the Cambrian period. Their unique evolutionary adaptations, such as the vascular system and
radial symmetry, provide insight into the diversity and complexity of life forms that evolved
in the marine environment.
 This characteristic group of animals can be briefly defined as a framework of calcium
carbonate in the form of calcite; a unique system of water vessels that mediate nutrition,
movement and other functions; and more or less striking fivefold radial symmetry (Pawson, D.
L., 2007). The evolutionary history of echinoderms is well documented with an extensive fossil
record dating back more than 500 million years to the Cambrian period. Their unique
evolutionary adaptations, such as the vascular system and radial symmetry, provide insight into
the diversity and complexity of life forms that evolved in the marine environment.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

a.) To explore the evolutionary history of echinodermata and tracing their origins.
b.) To analyze the diverse range of habitats inhabited by echinoderms, from shallow
intertidal zone and coastal area
c.) To identify the quantity of echinoderms that are present in the area of Lobogon, Aloran
Misamis Occidental.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Echinodermata is a phylum of marine animals known for their unique radial symmetry,
calcareous endoskeletons, and remarkable regenerative abilities. This group includes starfish, sea
urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers. Echinoderms play significant roles in marine
ecosystems and have been the subject of extensive research due to their biological and ecological
importance. This review summarizes key findings from recent literature on the taxonomy,
ecology, and regenerative biology of Echinodermata.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny

Echinoderm taxonomy has been extensively studied, with molecular techniques providing
new insights into phylogenetic relationships. According to Smith et al. (2020), molecular
phylogenetics has reshaped our understanding of echinoderm evolution, revealing deep
divergences among classes that were not previously evident from morphological data alone . The
development of next-generation sequencing technologies has facilitated the discovery of new
species and the reclassification of existing ones, demonstrating the dynamic nature of
echinoderm taxonomy (Matsubara et al., 2021) .
 Recent studies by O’Hara et al. (2019) have highlighted the use of mitochondrial DNA
markers in resolving phylogenetic relationships within the phylum. Their research emphasizes
the importance of combining molecular and morphological data to achieve a comprehensive
understanding of echinoderm diversity . Furthermore, Kroh and Smith (2018) have documented
extensive fossil records that provide a historical context for the evolution of key traits within
Echinodermata, such as the development of tube feet and complex nervous systems .

Ecology and Habitat

Echinoderms occupy diverse habitats ranging from shallow coastal areas to deep-sea
environments. Their ecological roles are varied, including acting as keystone species, bioeroders,
and sediment stabilizers. Lawrence (2013) has detailed the ecological impacts of starfish
predation on coral reef ecosystems, illustrating how starfish outbreaks can lead to significant
coral mortality . Similarly, the work of Uthicke et al. (2015) on sea cucumbers has shown that
these organisms play a crucial role in bioturbation and nutrient cycling, enhancing the
productivity of marine sediments .

In deep-sea habitats, echinoderms contribute to the benthic community structure and

function. Research by Smith et al. (2016) has demonstrated the importance of sea urchins in
maintaining the health of deep-sea coral reefs through their grazing activities, which prevent the
overgrowth of algae and other sessile organisms . Additionally, studies on the distribution of
echinoderms in polar regions by Grange et al. (2014) have provided insights into how these
organisms adapt to extreme environments, with adaptations such as antifreeze proteins and
modified metabolic rates being key to their survival in cold waters .

Regenerative Biology
One of the most fascinating aspects of echinoderm biology is their regenerative
capabilities. Echinoderms can regenerate lost body parts, a process that involves complex
cellular and molecular mechanisms. The review by Dolmatov and Ginanova (2009) provides a
comprehensive overview of the regenerative processes in different echinoderm classes,
highlighting the role of stem cells and signaling pathways in tissue regeneration .
 Recent advances in genomic and transcriptomic analyses have furthered our
understanding of the molecular basis of regeneration. For instance, Cary et al. (2018) have
identified key genes and regulatory networks involved in arm regeneration in starfish, revealing
similarities with regenerative processes in other animal phyla, such as planarians and
salamanders . These findings suggest that echinoderms may serve as valuable models for
studying regeneration and potential applications in regenerative medicine.

In addition to arm regeneration, research by Thorndyke et al. (2010) has focused on the
regenerative capabilities of sea cucumbers, which can regenerate their internal organs following
evisceration. This remarkable ability involves extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix
and re-differentiation of cells, processes that are of great interest for understanding tissue
engineering and repair .

METHODOLOGY

Sampling area
This study is taken in the coastal area of Lobogon, Aloran, Misamis Occidental,
Philippines.
Materials Used:
 Hand gloves
 Plastic Container
Detection of Echinodermata

The detection of echinodermata in the coastal area of Lobogon, Aloran, Misamis

Occidental is prior to the availability of its species that are present in the area. The samples are
collected straight from the fisherman of Brngy. Lobogon, Aloran. The researcher’s will collect
atleast 1 or 2 species belonging to the Phylum Echinodermata. In order to identify the species,
the researchers will conduct Descriptive analysis to identify the classification of species in the
Phylum Echinodermata.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Figure 1: Image of Sea Urchin ( Tuyom) taken from Brgy.

Lobogon

Figure 2: The Inside organ system of the Sea

Urchin

Sea Urchin or locally known as “tuyom” belonging to the Phylum Echinodermata in the
class Echinoidea. This family contains genera including Strongylocentrotus and Lytechinus. Sea
urchins have a globular body covered with long movable spines attached to a hard shell called a
testa. The experiment consists of fused calcium carbonate plates that form a rigid structure.
Beneath the vertebral column are tube feet, which are part of the vascular system used for
movement, breathing and food collection.
 The Time duration of these species in the area are depending on the fishermen’s duration,
it is between 30 minutes-1 hour of collecting samples of sea urchin in the coastal area of the
sampling site. The inside of the sea urchin [Figure 2] contains its organ system and they vary
different characteristics.

Habitat and Distribution

These Sea urchins are found in shallow coastal areas environment. They thrive in a
variety of habitats, including rocky shores and sea side during low tide. However, they also
gathered sea urchins during red tide in the deep sea. Their distribution depends on species-
specific preferences for temperature, salinity, and habitat structure. In addition, only one species
of Echinodermata are present in the area due to the different environmental factors that affects
the area. Moreover, due to the bad weather occuring during the sampling, the fisherman’s did not
allowed the researchers to collect samples without their guidance because low tide only occur
during night time. Hence, their where plenty of discovered Sea urchin in the area [Figure 1].

Ecological Role

Echinoderms play a vital role in marine ecosystems. They are involved in nutrient
cycling, sediment cycling and biodiversity conservation. Sea urchins are important ecosystem
engineers. By grazing the algae, they prevent overgrowth of algae that can suffocate coral reefs.
However, in the absence of natural predators such as sea otters and certain fish, sea urchin
populations can explode, causing overgrazing and the creation of "urchin barren" areas depleted
of kelp forests, which greatly reduces biodiversity.

CONCLUSION

Echinoderms continue to be a focal point of marine biological research due to their

unique physiological traits and ecological importance. Advances in molecular techniques have
greatly enhanced our understanding of their taxonomy, while ecological studies have
underscored their critical roles in marine ecosystems. The regenerative abilities of echinoderms
offer exciting avenues for research with potential applications in regenerative medicine. As
research progresses, echinoderms will undoubtedly continue to provide valuable insights into the
complexities of marine life and biological processes.
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