Chaetognaths, Echinoderms,

and Hemichordates
What are Chaetognaths?
Chaetognaths are marine animals that are commonly known as arrowworms. They
are found in all oceans, from the surface to the deep sea. Chaetognaths are
slender, torpedo-shaped animals with a long, pointed head and a tail. They have a
series of lateral fins that help them to swim. Chaetognaths are predators and feed
on small crustaceans and other marine animals.
Characteristics of Chaetognaths
● Chaetognaths are bilaterally symmetrical animals.
● They have a well-developed digestive system, including a mouth, pharynx,
stomach, and intestine.
● They have a closed circulatory system.
● They have a single pair of excretory organs.
● They have a nervous system that is similar to that of other bilaterian animals.
● They have a pair of eyes and a pair of sensory organs on the head.
● Chaetognaths are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have both male and
female reproductive organs.
Ecology of Chaetognaths
Chaetognaths are an important part of the marine food web. They are preyed
upon by a variety of animals, including fish, squid, and sea turtles. Chaetognaths
also play a role in the cycling of nutrients in the ocean.
Echinoderms
What are Echinoderms?
Echinoderms are marine animals that are characterized by a hard, calcareous
skeleton. They are found in all oceans, from the intertidal zone to the deep sea.
Echinoderms include sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sand dollars, and
sea lilies.
Characteristics of Echinoderms
● Echinoderms are radially symmetrical animals.
● They have a water vascular system, which is a network of canals that
transport water throughout the body.
● They have a leathery skin that is covered in spines or plates.
● Echinoderms have a unique mode of locomotion called "epibenthic creeping."
This involves using their tube feet to move along the seafloor.
● Echinoderms are filter feeders or predators.
Ecology of Echinoderms
Echinoderms are an important part of the marine food web. They are preyed upon
by a variety of animals, including fish, seabirds, and sea turtles. Echinoderms also
play a role in the cycling of nutrients in the ocean.
Economic Importance of Echinoderms
Some echinoderms, such as sea cucumbers, are harvested for food. Sea urchins
are harvested for their roe, which is a delicacy in some cultures. Echinoderms are
also used in a variety of other products, such as cosmetics, jewelry, and fertilizer.
Hemichordates
What are Hemichordates?
Hemichordates are marine animals that are closely related to chordates. They are
found in all oceans, from the intertidal zone to the deep sea. Hemichordates
include acorn worms and pterobranchs.
Characteristics of Hemichordates
● Hemichordates are bilaterally symmetrical animals.
● They have a notochord, which is a flexible rod of cartilage that supports the
body.
● They have a single pair of gill slits.
● Hemichordates have a worm-like body with a short, muscular proboscis.
● They have a leathery skin that is covered in small spines.
● Hemichordates are filter feeders.
Seacucumber
Seacucumber
The Philippines, in particular, used to be among the top global producers of wild caught sea cucumbers. 'The Philippines
is a very biodiverse country. We have over 100 species of sea cucumbers of which at least 40 are commercially
processed.

Holothuria scabra

Holothuria fuscogilva

Stichopus horrens,

S. herrmanni

- used in traditional Chinese medicine and as a food delicacy.

- The dried meat is known as beche-de-mer, and it is often used in soups and stews.
- Sea cucumbers are also a source of the chemical trepangin, which has anti-cancer properties.
Life cycle
1. Spawning: Holothuria scabra is a hermaphrodite,
meaning that it can produce both eggs and
sperm. The eggs and sperm are released into the
water during a spawning event, which typically
occurs during the full moon.
2. Fertilization: The eggs and sperm are fertilized
externally, and the fertilized eggs develop into a
gastrula, the first larval stage.
3. Larval development: The gastrula undergoes a
series of larval stages, auricularia, doliolaria, and
pentactula stages. During this time, the larva
feeds on plankton and grows in size.
4. Juvenile stage: After about 18-30 days, the larva
settles to the seafloor and metamorphoses into a
juvenile sea cucumber.
5. Adult stage: The juvenile sea cucumber grows
into an adult sea cucumber, which can live for up
to 10 years.
Sandfish Holothuria scabra
- Holothuria scabra is a species of sea
cucumber.

- It is also known as sandfish or beche-de-mer.

- It has a cylindrical body with a smooth skin.

- It lives in shallow tropical waters and feeds on

organic matter in the sand.

- It is harvested for human consumption and has

high economic value.
 White Teatfish Holothuria fuscogilva
- Holothuria fuscogilva is a species of sea cucumber
in the family Holothuriidae.

- It is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from

the Red Sea to Hawaii and Australia.

- It has a cylindrical body with a brownish-grey color

and white spots on the dorsal surface.

- It feeds on organic matter in the sediment and can

eject sticky filaments as a defense mechanism.

- It is harvested for human consumption and

traditional medicine in some countries, but
overexploitation has caused population declines.
Tripneustes gratilla
- Tripneustes gratilla is a species of sea urchin.

- It is also known as the collector urchin or the

hatpin urchin.

- It has a spherical body covered with long

spines and tube feet.

- It lives in shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific

region.

- It feeds on algae and seagrasses and can be

used for aquaculture and reef restoration.