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Sand dollars belong to the class Echinoidea within the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes starfish and sea urchins. Their evolutionary history traces back to about 100 million years ago, with ancestors resembling regular sea urchins. Over time, sand dollars adapted to a burrowing lifestyle in sandy or muddy substrates, leading to their flattened, disc-like shape. This adaptation reflects their niche as bottom-dwelling organisms, allowing them to efficiently feed on organic matter in sediment.

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AnswerBot

3w ago

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