Catalog Number:
33078
Specimen Count:
1
Precise Locality:

Off Havana. Sta. 2319-2350.

Locality:
Atlantic Ocean Region
Preparation Type:
100% glycerin; Fluid
Collecting Date:
17 Jan 1885
Collecting Locality:
Cuba, La Habana, Cuba
Upper Level Taxonomy:
Animalia, Echinodermata, Crinozoa, Crinoidea, Articulata, Isocrinida, Isocrinina, Isocrinidae, Isocrininae

Echinoderms move using rows of small tube feet powered by a fluid-filled (water vascular) system. The fluid travels from central, circular canals out through radial canals like the spokes of a wheel. Along the spokes are the tube feet, which typically end in adhesive pads. Each tube foot is kept firm by internal fluid pressure. By sticking down and unsticking in coordinated waves, the tube feet inch the animal along a surface. The water vascular system used for locomotion can also function for feeding. Some echinoderms pass small pieces of food along from foot to foot until it reaches their mouths. The otherwise soft echinoderm body gets the support it needs from a skeleton made of calcified pieces (ossicles). Ossicles often have spiny projections that give the overlying skin a prickly appearance (echino = spiny; dermis skin).