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Article: The structure and mode of function of the water vascular system of a brittlestar, Ophioderma appressum.
- Article from:
- The Biological Bulletin
- Article date:
- February 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Marine Biological Laboratory. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
One of the most distinctive characteristics of echinoderms is their water vascular system - a unique arrangement of fluid-filled coelomic passages and associated parts. The general form of these structures in the different echinoderm classes has been summarized by Hyman (1955) and Nichols (1966) from the works of pioneer microscopists. In most types, the water vascular passages open to the exterior through a hydropore or compound mad-reporite, and fluid within the system is used hydraulically to extend agile appendages, the tube feet. With their variety of functional adaptations, the tube feet are probably responsible for much of the evolutionary success ...