Echinoderms


Echinoderms such as sea stars, sea urchins and brittle stars have larval stages that live in the plankton. Some species stay in the plankton for many months, allowing them to disperse over a wide area. These larval stages often have bizarre shapes and look totally different from the adult.

Ophiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Grevelingen, NL
Ophiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Grevelingen, NL
Ophiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Grevelingen, NL
Ophiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Oosterschelde, NL
Echinopluteus larva of a sea urchin, Grevelingen, NL
Echinopluteus larva of a sea urchin, Wadden Sea, NL
Bipinnaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NL
Bipinnaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NL
Bipinnaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NL
Branchiolaria larvae of the starfish Luidia sarsii, central North Sea.
Branchiolaria larvae of the starfish Luidia sarsii, central North Sea.
Larvae of the starfish Luidia sarsii detached from the branchiolaria, central North Sea.
Branchiolaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NL
Sea cucumber auricularia larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
Sea urchin echinopluteus larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
Brittle star Ophioluteus larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
Heart urchin echinopluteus larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.