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Echinodermata Larva

This document describes the different larval forms found in the classes of phylum Echinodermata. It outlines the key characteristics of the Bipinnaria, Brachiolaria, Auricularia, Ophiopluteus, Echinopluteus, and Doliolaria larvae. These larvae all show a general resemblance indicating they evolved from the same coelomate, bilaterally symmetrical ancestor. The larval forms provide phylogenetic significance by resembling the Toronaria larva of Balanoglossus.

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Anupam Ghosh
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1K views9 pages

Echinodermata Larva

This document describes the different larval forms found in the classes of phylum Echinodermata. It outlines the key characteristics of the Bipinnaria, Brachiolaria, Auricularia, Ophiopluteus, Echinopluteus, and Doliolaria larvae. These larvae all show a general resemblance indicating they evolved from the same coelomate, bilaterally symmetrical ancestor. The larval forms provide phylogenetic significance by resembling the Toronaria larva of Balanoglossus.

Uploaded by

Anupam Ghosh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Echinodermata Larva

Anupam Ghosh
Department of Zoology
Bankura Christian College
Introduction:
Echinoderms are unisexual animals. Sexual dimorphism is absent. Fertilization takes place in water. The development may be direct or indirect. If the development is indirect it includes larva stages. In different classes of echinoderms, different types of larvae complete the development. The larval form is bilaterally symmetrical. It undergoes metamorphosis and radial
symmetri­cal adult is developed.

Class of Phylum Echinodermata Larval form


1. Asteriodea Bipinnaria & Brachiolaria
2. Ophiuroidea Ophiopkiteus
3. Echinoidea Echinopkrteus
4. Hobturoidea Auricularia
5. Crinoidea Dobolaria & Pentacrinoid
Bipinnaria larva :

It is the larva form seen in the life history of Star fish. The
fertilized egg is homolecithal. It undergoes holoblastic cleavage
and develops into blastula and gastrula stages. The gastrula
elongates in length and it gives rise to Bipinnaria larva.

1. It is a bilaterally symmetrical free swimming pelagic larva.


2. The pre-oral region is elongated. Post-oral region is broad. The
anterior end forms pre-oral lobe.
3. The ciliated band at the pre-oral lobe forms into 2 separate
bands, Pre-oral band of cilia, and post oral band of cilia. These 2
bands of cilia are drawn into many arms. They are,
a) Ventro-median arm.
b) A pair of pre-oral arm.
c) Median dorsal arm.
d) A pair of antero-dorsai arm.
e) A pair of posterio-dorsal arm.
f) A pair of posterio-lateral arm.
g) A pair of post oral arm.
4) The digestive system is developed with mouth and anus. This
larva resembles Tomaria larva of Balanoglossus.
This larva slowly grows into the next larval form called
Brachiolaria larva.
Brachiolaria Larva :

Bipinnaria larva swims for few weeks in the sea water. lt finally
transforms into next larval stage called Brachiolaria larva.
1) It is bilaterally symmetrical larva.
2) It is pelagic larval form, it shows 3 brachiolar arms with
suckers. They are one median and two lateral in position.
3) At the tip of brachiolar arms adhesive structures will make
their appear­ance and they are for attachment.
4) The larva shows all the arms that are seen in the Bipinnaria,
but these arms are very long and hanging. These ciliated arms
will be helpful for swimming in the water.
5) The digestive system is completely developed with definite
stomach and intestine.
This larva after swimming few settle-on a solid object and gets
attached to it by its adhesive arms. Posterior end of the larva
enlarges and lifts to the right-side. From this rudiments of 5
arms will arise. Thus, slowly the larva metamorpho­sis into an
adult.
Auricularia Larva

In Holothuroidea this larval form is seen.


1. It is a free swimming pelagic larva.
2. Arms are absent. Alimentary canal is
developed. It opens with mouth and ends with
anus.
3. Intestine is curved.
4. In Japan and Bermuda very big auricularia
larval forms are developed. They are 15 mm in
length. Usually this larva is 1 mm in length.
5. Ciliated bands are well-developed. Ciliated
band continues through oral loop and anal loop.
Ophiopluteus larva:

1) This larva is seen in the life history of opuriodea


(Brittle star).
2) It shows many long arms. The arms are supported
by calcareous rods. The arms are directed upwards.
3) It is bilaterally symmetrical. It is transparent. It is
Pelagic.
4) Preoral loop is reduced . Ciliated band is
undivided. The postero-lateral arms are very long
and they are directed forwards.
5) The digestive system is developed. It opens with
mouth and ends with anus.
6) This larva swims for some time before undergoing
metamorphosis.
Echinopluteus larva :

It is seen in the life history of Echinoidea.


1. It is a microscopic larva.
2. It swims in water.
3. This larva shows ciliated bands which are developed
into arms.
4. Fully developed echinopluteus larva 4 or 5 pairs of arms
are present.
Usually 6 pairs of arms should be resulted.
5. The arms are supported by (CaC03) Calcareous rods.
6. The digestive system is developed which shows mouth
and anus.
7. It develops hydrocoel and vestibule. These parts grow
on the oral side of the animal. From the hydrocoel five
radial canals will develop.
This larva undergoes rapid metamorphosis and develops
into an adult.
Doliolaria larva

In crinoidea group of animals the larval form is


Doliolaria larva.
1. It is a free swimming larval form.
2. It contains an apical tuft of cilia which will be
sensory.
3. On the mid ventral line near apical plate adhesive
pit will be present.
4. The body shows 4 or 5 ciliated bands
5. In between 3rd and 2nd ciliated bands vestibule is
present.
After swimming for some time it will develop a stalk.
It is called Pantacrinoid larva. It will attach to the
substartum. The internal organs will rotate at 90°. It
develops into an adult.
Significance of Echinoderm larva

1. The larval forms of all classes in Echinodermata will show general


resemblance. The crinoidea larva differs from this pattern. In general all the
larvae show that they might have come from same ancestor. Hence the
common ancestor is coelomate, bilaterally symmetrical and free swimming.

2. 2.These larvae also show resemblance with Toronaria of Balanoglossus. Thus


the study of Echinoderm larva has a phylogenetic significance.

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