feather star
Noun: A type of marine invertebrate animal belonging to the class Crinoidea. It is characterized by being free-swimming as an adult, lacking a stalk, and having a central body (calyx) from which extend numerous, typically ten, long, feathery, and highly branched arms used for filter-feeding and locomotion. They are found primarily on muddy or soft sea bottoms.
The term "feather star" is used to specifically describe these stalkless, free-moving crinoids, distinguishing them from their relatives, the "sea lilies," which are permanently attached to the seafloor by a stalk. * Scientists observed a feather star using its graceful arms to crawl across the ocean floor. * The diver's flashlight illuminated a vibrant red feather star clinging to the coral reef. * Unlike the sessile sea lily, the feather star can detach and swim to a new location.
- In Scientific Context: The term is precise within marine biology and zoology. Feather stars are studied for their unique morphology, feeding mechanisms, and evolutionary relationship to other echinoderms like starfish and sea urchins.
- The research paper detailed the neural structure controlling the coordinated movement of the feather star's arms.
- Crinoid: The broader biological class (Crinoidea) to which both feather stars and sea lilies belong. "Feather star" is a type of crinoid.
- Comatulid: The scientific order (Comatulida) for most feather stars. This term is used synonymously in technical literature.
- Sea Lily: A related crinoid that possesses a permanent, stalk-like stem attaching it to the substrate.
- Comatulid (scientific synonym)
- Stalkless crinoid (descriptive synonym)
The term "feather star" does not have other common, unrelated meanings. Its definition is specific to marine biology.
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the term "feather star."
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free-swimming stalkless crinoid with ten feathery arms; found on muddy sea bottoms
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