Dermatitis caused by Echinoderms

Abstract

Echinoderms (echinos = bristle or spiny appearance) (Echinodermata phylum) are animals with a rotate pentamerous symmetry. About 6,000 species are known, 80 of which are toxic or venomous. Their various different shapes have led to a subdivision into five classes. Some are spherical and covered in spines or strong spicules (Echinoidea or sea urchins); some are star-shaped with five points or ray-like arms of variable length (Asteroidea or starfish) (Fig. 4.1); some have a cylindrical body (Holothuroidea or sea cucumbers) (Fig. 4.2); some are flower-like (Crinoidea, sea lilies or feather stars); others have long, branching arms that can twine around solid bodies (Ophiuroidea) (serpent stars: ophis + idis = snake-like) (Table 4.1) (Fig. 4.3) [1].

Table 4.1. Echinodermata classes and most common toxic species

1. Echinoidea (sea urchins)

Species:

Paracentrotus lividus

Arbacia lixula

Sphaerechittus granulans

2. Asteroidea (starfish)

Species:

Echinaster sepositus

Acanthaster plana

3. Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers)

Species:

Cucumaria

Stichopus

4. Crinoidea (sea lilies)

5. Ophiuroidea (sea snakes)