Having evolved before the age of dinosaurs, echinoderms are one of the most important groups of marine invertebrates. With skeletal structures made from calcium carbonate, they are vulnerable to the effects of seawater acidification, pollution and warming.

Shown here is a Fire Urchin. Their bodies are beautifully arranged with a radial symmetry that enables them to detect and react to stimuli from any direction. These urchins play a critically important role in regulating algae growth, helping maintain a healthy balance within their ecosystem.

Location: Lembeh Strait, Molucca Sea, Indonesia

Photographer: Laura Storm