Pluteus
The Pluteus is a larval form of echinoderms (Echinodermata), which in the individual development ( ontogeny of) sea urchin (Echinoida) and brittle stars (Ophiuroida) occurs. It is an initially bilaterally symmetrical shape that can be derived from the dipleurula .
The peculiarity of the pluteus are long floating appendages supported by skeletal rods. These serve life as a free-swimming organism in the plankton of the pelagial . The appendages are closer together in the sea urchin larva ( Echinopluteus ) than in the brittle star larva ( Ophiopluteus ). The larvae have a central indentation, the vestibule.
literature
- A. Goldschmid: Echinodermata, echinoderms. In: W. Westheide, R. Rieger: Special Zoology. Part 1. Protozoa and invertebrates. Spectrum, Heidelberg 2003, ISBN 3-8274-0998-5