Echinoderid

Echinoderid is a group of marine worms belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. They are characterized by their unique, spiny, segmented bodies, which are composed of numerous small, calcified plates. Echinoderids are typically found in deep-sea environments, where they inhabit the sediment on the ocean floor. Their bodies are segmented into a series of rings, each containing a pair of tube feet used for locomotion and feeding. The tube feet are retractable and can be extended to grasp food particles or move the worm across the seafloor. Echinoderids are filter feeders, using their tube feet to draw in water and filter out food particles. They are an important part of the deep-sea ecosystem, contributing to the breakdown of organic matter and the recycling of nutrients. Despite their unique appearance and lifestyle, echinoderids are relatively unknown and understudied compared to other echinoderms.