Echinoidea (Noun)
Meaning
Sea urchins and sand dollars.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The phylum Echinodermata is home to a diverse group of marine animals, including the class Echinoidea, which comprises sea urchins and sand dollars.
- The fossil record of Echinoidea dates back to the Early Ordovician period, over 450 million years ago.
- Echinoidea are characterized by their rounded bodies, which are often covered in sharp spines for defense against predators.
- Some species of Echinoidea, such as the sea urchin, are able to move slowly across the ocean floor using their many tiny tube feet.
- In many coastal ecosystems, Echinoidea play a crucial role in controlling algae growth and maintaining the balance of the marine environment.