Echinodermata Characteristics 

Characteristics found in no other phylum

• Endoskeleton composed of plates or ossicles
  Often spiny
• Dermal branchiae
  Respiration occurs in the tube feet, respiratory tree (holothuroids), or bursae (ophiuroids)
• Water vascular system
• Pedicellariae
  Small pincer (plier like) projects on the surface of many enchinoderms

Sea star dissection pictures