Definition
The Class Crinoidea includes sea lilies and feather stars, ancient marine animals known for their elegant, feathery arms and filter-feeding lifestyle. Imagine underwater flowers swaying gently in the current! 🌸 These echinoderms exhibit pentaradial symmetry and are either attached to the seabed by a stalk (sea lilies) or free-swimming (feather stars). They capture plankton and other organic particles from the water using their arms. Crinoids have a long evolutionary history, dating back to the Paleozoic era. They are found in oceans worldwide, from shallow reefs to the deep sea. Their fossil record provides valuable insights into the history of marine life.