The Ophiuroidea is the most-species rich class of the Echinodermata and evolution of development in these echinoderms have evolved a switch to non-feeding development and the evolution of two metamorphic phenotypes (Type I and II development). We investigate the evolution of larval form in ophiuroid genera with Type I and Type II development in species from Australia and the Caribbean. We have discovered that the early larval form is surprisingly variable. The aim of this research is to document the diversity of larval form and ascertain larval homologies with the assistance of molecular phylogeny. Not surprisingly, this research has led to the discovery of morphospecies complexes where the adults are virtually identical while the larvae differ markedly in morphology and dispersive capacity. A major aim is to determine the clade-specific developmental and life history traits.
