Bilateral symmetry is highly conserved throughout animal evolution. Echinoderms, a group closely related to chordates, are exceptional in this regard, developing pentameral symmetry as adults...

Echinoderms are an exceptional group of bilaterians that develop pentameral adult symmetry from a bilaterally symmetric larva. However, the genetic basis in evolution and development of this unique transformation remains to be clarified. Here we report newly sequenced genomes, developmental transcri ….

Within the deuterostomes, however, the Echinodermata although initially bilateral as larvae, are pentameral as adults. This modification of the ancestral bilaterian plan makes identification of body axes for comparative studies problematic.

During the development from bilateral larvae to pentaradial adults, the formation of the multiple of five hydrocoel lobes, i.e., the buddings from the mesodermal coelom, is the firstly emerging...

Echinodermata is a large phylum of marine invertebrates characterized by an adult, pentameral body plan. This morphology is clearly derived as all members of Deuterostomia (the superphylum to which they belong) have a bilateral body plan. The origin of the pentameral plan has been the subject of intense debate.