Sea Cucumber Larva Lapel Pin

This lapel pin design is based on a drawing by Ernst Haeckel, a noted 19th century German naturalist and artist, of the larval form of the sea cucumber 'Synapta digitata.' Sea cucumbers are echinoderms, a phylum of animals with radial, 5-point symmetry including sea urchins, sea stars, and sand dollars. What is fascinating about echinoderm larvae is how different their appearance is from echinoderm adults. The larvae are bilaterally symmetrical and planktonic. The adult sea cucumber does not form until the larva has gone through several developmental stages and finally, settled on the sea floor.

Lapel pin ships from Shapeways without the butterfly clasp to attach the pin. You will need to purchase one yourself, or borrow one from another pin you might have lying around the house.

The face of the lapel pin is 1.2 cm wide by 2.4 cm tall.