Echinodermata

Subphylum ECHINOZOA

Class ECHINOIDEA

Arbacia punctulata - Purple Spined Sea Urchin

Morphology: Deep purple color in spines and test. Test may have diameter from 3-5cm.

Distribution: Cape Cod to West Indies

Habitat: On rock and shells, usually subtidal.

Life History: Gonochoristic, broadcast spawners. Graze on algae or detritus; have tube feet

Reference: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

Picture: http://www.jaxshells.org/0628aa.htm

Class HOLOTHUROIDEA

Sclerodactyla briareus - Hairy Cucumber

Morphology: This holothuroidean reaches 12-15 cm with a robust body and tapered ends. The body is soft due to a small number of ossicles and possesses numerous hair-like tube feet projecting from all over the body.

Distribution: North West Atlantic down to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, reaching Venezuela. Found at Grice Beach.

Habitat: Soft, muddy substrates, often near seagrass beds. Tolerant of low oxygen and salinity.

Life History: Feeds selectively on organic detritus. It can autotomize its internal organs for defense. Adults bury themselves in the sea floor leaving just the mouth and anus above the sediment.

Reference: Encyclopedia of Life

Subphylum ASTEROZOA

Class OPHIUROIDEA

Hemipholis elongata - Burrowing Brittle Star

Morphology: Distinguishing characteristics include: scales on aboral disk; prominent radial shields; banded arms; red blood. Each arm segment has three spines on each side.Disk is mottled and generally gray in color. Also known as Blood brittle star.Distribution: Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.Habitat: Found in Grice Mudflat.Life History: Associated with Diopatra sp. Burrows in oxygen poor sediments.Reference: Ruppert and Fox, Peterson Guide to Atlantic Seashores.

Class ASTEROIDEA

Luidia clathrata - Gray Sea Star

Morphology: Arms are 2-3 times the length of the central disk. Body surface is covered in plates. Colors range from gray to light brown and can be rose or salmon-colored. Distinguished by dark gray/black stripe on dorsal midline of each arm.Distribution: Virginia to Brazil, westward to AlabamaHabitat: Found on Folly Beach groin.Life History: Can grow to 20-30 cm, spawns annually. Reference: Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. PierceSource: Sunset Beach and Bird Island, NC

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