What type of symmetry do echinoderms exhibit?

Echinoderms, which include organisms such as sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, exhibit radial symmetry, particularly as adults. This means that their body structures can be arranged around a central axis. Typically, echinoderms display this symmetry in relation to their mouth, which is often located on the underside of the organism. As larvae, however, echinoderms exhibit bilateral symmetry, demonstrating a transition from bilateral to radial symmetry as they mature. This evolutionary adaptation is thought to facilitate their lifestyle as sedentary or slow-moving animals on the ocean floor, allowing them to interact with the surrounding environment in a consistent manner from all directions. Radial symmetry provides an advantage in terms of feeding and predation, as it allows echinoderms to reach out and capture prey effectively from various angles.