Echinoderms are found on the seafloor at every ocean depth from the intertidal zone to the abyssal zone, and they are one of the most important marine resources supporting coastal livelihoods. The phylum Echinodermata has five classes: Asteroidea, Crinoidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea and Ophiuroidea. Despite the similarity in the basic structure of representatives in the phylum, the classes vary greatly in their biological characteristics. They are considered valuable model organisms, as they sit in the deuterostome clade alongside chordates, but most of them are still poorly known and understood.
Many echinoderm species are of significant ecological and economic importance. Sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars and feather stars are all common echinoderms. Sea cucumbers are recognized as the cleaners of the ocean and as such they play a key role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Along with sea urchins, they are also very important aquaculture animals for food. However, many commercial echinoderm species have been overexploited. It is essential to understand their biology and ecology to support conservation programs and to develop more advanced aquaculture techniques to promote sustainable use of these resources.
This Research Topic aims to collect a series of studies covering advances in the biology, ecology, physiology, and adaptive evolution of echinoderms under environmental changes, which is the basis of sustainable exploitation of commercial echinoderms, in terms of harvesting, breeding, rearing, stock enhancement and aquaculture.
We welcome the submissions of different article types, including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Methods, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives. A non-exhaustive list of possible subtopics is:
• The anatomy, taxonomy, reproductive biology and physiology of echinoderms.
• The roles of echinoderms in marine ecosystems and inside integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems.
• The genetics and adaptive evolution of echinoderms under global climate change.
• The spatial distribution, population structures, management and conservation of echinoderms.
• The mechanisms and drivers underpinning special capacities/behaviours in echinoderms (e.g., aestivation, regeneration, autolysis).
• The coordination of behaviours (e.g., feeding, locomotion, spawning) and physiology of echinoderms with environmental changes.
• The methodologies and techniques used for selective breeding, rearing, stock enhancement and aquaculture of echinoderms.
Echinoderms are found on the seafloor at every ocean depth from the intertidal zone to the abyssal zone, and they are one of the most important marine resources supporting coastal livelihoods. The phylum Echinodermata has five classes: Asteroidea, Crinoidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea and Ophiuroidea. Despite the similarity in the basic structure of representatives in the phylum, the classes vary greatly in their biological characteristics. They are considered valuable model organisms, as they sit in the deuterostome clade alongside chordates, but most of them are still poorly known and understood.
Many echinoderm species are of significant ecological and economic importance. Sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars and feather stars are all common echinoderms. Sea cucumbers are recognized as the cleaners of the ocean and as such they play a key role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Along with sea urchins, they are also very important aquaculture animals for food. However, many commercial echinoderm species have been overexploited. It is essential to understand their biology and ecology to support conservation programs and to develop more advanced aquaculture techniques to promote sustainable use of these resources.
This Research Topic aims to collect a series of studies covering advances in the biology, ecology, physiology, and adaptive evolution of echinoderms under environmental changes, which is the basis of sustainable exploitation of commercial echinoderms, in terms of harvesting, breeding, rearing, stock enhancement and aquaculture.
We welcome the submissions of different article types, including Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Methods, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives. A non-exhaustive list of possible subtopics is:
• The anatomy, taxonomy, reproductive biology and physiology of echinoderms.
• The roles of echinoderms in marine ecosystems and inside integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems.
• The genetics and adaptive evolution of echinoderms under global climate change.
• The spatial distribution, population structures, management and conservation of echinoderms.
• The mechanisms and drivers underpinning special capacities/behaviours in echinoderms (e.g., aestivation, regeneration, autolysis).
• The coordination of behaviours (e.g., feeding, locomotion, spawning) and physiology of echinoderms with environmental changes.
• The methodologies and techniques used for selective breeding, rearing, stock enhancement and aquaculture of echinoderms.