Is echinoderm sessile nekton or benthos?

Answer 1

Echinoderms are primarily classified as benthos, as they typically inhabit the ocean floor and are often found attached to substrates or crawling along the sea bottom. While some echinoderms, like certain species of starfish and sea cucumbers, may exhibit limited movement, they are not considered nekton, which refers to actively swimming organisms. Instead, echinoderms play important roles in benthic ecosystems.