Phylogenetic Signal Dissection Identifies the Root of Starfishes
Fig 5
Key morphological characters relevant to asteroid rooting mapped onto our best-supported molecular phylogenetic tree.
1, planktotrophic larval development; ☐ to bipinnaria stage; ■to brachiolaria stage; L—lecithotrophic (no planktotrophic larval stage). 2, suckered tube feet; ☐ absent; ■present. 3, pedicellariae; ☐ simple valves; ■ complex, crossed pedicellarae with basal element. 4, oral frame; ☐ ambulacral; ■ adambulacral. 5, eversible stomach; ☐ absent; ■ present. 6, anus; ☐ absent; ■ present.