echinozoan
Echinozoan is a defunct superclass of marine invertebrates that historically encompassed two extant phyla: Echinodermata and Kinorhyncha. The name itself derives from the Greek word 'echinos', meaning hedgehog, and 'zoon', meaning animal, referencing the spiny appearance of some echinoderms. This classification was based on perceived similarities in their larval development and body plan.
Within this grouping, the phylum Echinodermata includes familiar marine animals such as starfish, sea urchins, and
However, modern molecular and morphological studies have revealed that the echinozoan superclass is paraphyletic, meaning it