The term ‘crinoid’ refers to a class of marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, specifically classified under the class Crinoidea. Crinoids are characterized by their flower-like appearance and are often referred to as “sea lilies” or “feather stars.” They typically have a stalk (in the case of stalked crinoids) and are equipped with numerous feathery arms that they use for feeding, capturing small particles from the water. Crinoids are primarily found in oceanic environments and can be both sessile (attached to the substrate) or free-swimming. They are notable for their fossil record, existing since the Cambrian period.
