Question

Which animal has a respiratory tree?
A. Clypeaster
B. Cucumaria
C. Solastar
D. Asterias

Answer 1

Hint: The process of respiration requires various kinds of organs, in humans, lungs help in the process of respiration whereas in some animals respiratory trees help in the process of respiration. Respiratory trees are highly branched thin-walled diverticula.

Complete answer:
Option A: Clypeaster is commonly known as sea biscuits or cake urchins is a genus of echinoderms. The echinoderms have a poor developed respiratory system as they use gills and their tube feet for respiration.

Option B: Cucumaria also known as sea cucumber also belongs to the genus Echinodermata. They have a pair of respiratory trees which helps them to extract oxygen from water. Cucumaria are marine and they have a leathery skin and elongated body which has single branched gonads.

Option C: There is no animal with the scientific name Solasta, thus this option is irrelevant.

Option D: Asterias is a genus of sea stars and they also belong to the phylum Echinodermata. The respiratory organs in Asterias are papulae and tube feet or gills.

Thus, the correct option is B) Cucumaria.

Note: In Cucumaria the respiratory trees are present near the cloaca. They obtain oxygen from the water that enters via the anus. The respiratory trees consist of a series of narrow tubules which branch from a common duct. They are present on either side of the digestive tract.