Echinoderm Meroplankton (Biotic Subclass)

Component: Biotic

Unique Identifier: 401

Biotic Setting	Planktonic Biota
Biotic Group	Zooplankton
Biotic Subclass	Echinoderm Meroplankton
Biotic Group	Mixed Echinoderm Larval Aggregation

Description

Definition

Water parcels in which echinoderm larvae are the perceived dominant feature. Echinoderms go through distinctive larval stages, most of which are characterized by different series of ciliated bands that are arranged with bilateral symmetry. Each echinoderm group features different larval forms (e.g., pluteus larvae or bipinnaria larvae).