Antedon
Encyclopedia
Antedon is a genus
of free-swimming, stemless crinoids. The genus first appeared in the fossil record in the Cretaceous
period.
or unbranched appendages on a low, cone-shaped dorsal ossicle, a bone-like structure in the centre of the disc. The mouth and the ambulacral grooves are also on the upper surface. Clawed cirri on the lower surface provide temporary attachment to the substrate. There is great variability in the morphological
features in Antedonids found in different habitats and the main distinguishing feature among the species
is the number of cirri.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of free-swimming, stemless crinoids. The genus first appeared in the fossil record in the Cretaceous
Cretaceous
The Cretaceous , derived from the Latin "creta" , usually abbreviated K for its German translation Kreide , is a geologic period and system from circa to million years ago. In the geologic timescale, the Cretaceous follows the Jurassic period and is followed by the Paleogene period of the...
period.
Characteristics
Members of this genus have no stems but have five pairs of feathery arms arising from a central concave disc. There are a number of cirriCirrus
Cirrus may refer to:In science:*Cirrus cloud, a type of cloud*Cirrus , a German research rocket*Cirrus, a fleshy, downward extension of the upper lip in salamanders or fish*Cirrus, a thoracic limb of an adult barnacle...
or unbranched appendages on a low, cone-shaped dorsal ossicle, a bone-like structure in the centre of the disc. The mouth and the ambulacral grooves are also on the upper surface. Clawed cirri on the lower surface provide temporary attachment to the substrate. There is great variability in the morphological
Morphology (biology)
In biology, morphology is a branch of bioscience dealing with the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features....
features in Antedonids found in different habitats and the main distinguishing feature among the species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
is the number of cirri.
Species
The following species are recognised in the World Register of Marine Species:- Antedon arabica AH Clark & AM Clark
- Antedon bifidaAntedon bifidaAntedon bifida is a species of crinoid in the family Antedonidae commonly known as the rosy feather star. It is found in north west Europe.-Description:...
(Pennant, 1777) - Antedon duebeni Böhlsche, 1866
- Antedon mediterranea (Lamarck, 1816)
- Antedon nuttingi (AH Clark, 1936)
- Antedon parviflora (AH Clark, 1912)
- Antedon petasusAntedon petasusAntedon petasus is a marine invertebrate, a species of crinoid or feather star in the family Antedonidae. It is found in north west Europe.-Description:...
(Düben & Koren, 1846)