The oral area of Echinoencrinites Von Meyer 1826

Specimens of different species of Echinoencrinites show a basic pattem of seven oral plates and a variable number of additional orals developed during ontogeny. The pattern of plate distribution in the oral area corresponds to that of the Glyptocystitida. The ontogenetically introduced oral plates are intercalated in the same style as seen in such other blastozoan groups as the Eocrinoidea, Diploporita and Rhombifera. This pattern of growth may indicate close relationship between these groups.