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, NLOphiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Grevelingen, NLOphiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Grevelingen, NLOphiopluteus larva of a brittle star, Oosterschelde, NLEchinopluteus larva of a sea urchin, Grevelingen, NLEchinopluteus larva of a sea urchin, Wadden Sea, NLBipinnaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NLBipinnaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NLBipinnaria larva of a starfish, Grevelingen, NLBranchiolaria 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, NLSea cucumber auricularia larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.Sea urchin echinopluteus larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.Brittle star Ophioluteus larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.Heart urchin echinopluteus larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
