Introduction to the Echinodermata

The Echinodermata is a phylum of exclusively marine invertebrates with a fossil record extending back to the Precambrian. The echinoderm clade is supported by a number of unique features, including

Other Echinoderm Resources

Summary and Taxonomy of the Echinodermata
Links to other Echinoderm web resources and Echinoderm research links

Echinoderm Research at the California Academy of Sciences

Dr. Rich Mooi
Researches the phylogenetic systematics of the Echinodermata, but particularly in echinoids.

 

The Echinoderm Collection

The CAS Invertebrate Zoology and Geology Research Collection focuses on material collected primarily from the East and Indo-Pacific. Holdings are strongest in asteroids, ophiuroids and echinoids from the Northwest Pacific, especially the California coast. Shallow water and deep-sea recent material is represented and there is also a substantial number of fossil echinoderm specimens.

Special holdings within the collection include:
  1. Voucher and type collection of echinoderms from Stanford University (worked upon and collected by Ed Ricketts, Walter K. Fisher and H.L. Clark) collected by the USFC Steamer Albatross in the late 19th century and early 20th century
  2. Shallow water Indo-Pacific echinoderms collected by Antonio J. Ferreira
  3. East-Asian dredge material collected by Franz B. Steiner
  4. Recently acquired oceanographic dredge collections of brisingid asteroids from Oregon State University.
  5. The Malcolm Telford Collection from the University of Toronto, including one of the world's best collections of clypeasteroids.
  6. Material collected by CAS staff since 1906.

There is a substantial amount of unallocated ophiuroid, crinoid and holothuroid material from mostly tropical Pacific localities. If you are a specialist who would like to work on our material or if you would like to make a donation of specimens to our collections please contact the curator, Dr. Rich Mooi .


Credits

California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco, CA 94118 Untitled Document