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Paxillosida | |
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Luidia magnifica | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Asteroidea |
Superorder: | Valvatacea |
Order: | Paxillosida Perrier, 1884 |
Families | |
See text. |
The Paxillosida are a large order of sea stars.
Paxillosida adults lack an anus and have no suckers on their tube feet. They do not develop the brachiolaria stage in their early development.[1] They possess marginal plates, and have sessile pedicellariae. They mostly inhabit soft-bottomed environments of sand or mud.[2]
Recent analyses suggest Paxillosida may be a sister taxon of Asterina.[1] The order is divided into these families:[3]