ScienceAugust 29, 2026

echinoderms

ih-KY-nuh-durmz

Definition

A phylum of marine invertebrate animals characterized by radial symmetry and a water vascular system, including sea lilies, starfish, and sea urchins.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words 'echinos' (hedgehog) and 'derma' (skin), referring to the spiny or bumpy skin common to many members of this animal group.

In the news

The article uses the term to categorize the sea lily, the creature being studied, and mentions other 'solute echinoderms' found on the same fossil slab.

In the entire 485-million-year fossil record of sea lilies, only one fossil had ever been found with the tube feet the animals catch their food with, and a pair of crushed specimens from a Quebec quarry has now produced the second and oldest case, at about 452

Read the full article ↗

ScienceBlog.com

Related words

ambulacral

Relating to the anatomical structures (such as grooves, plates, or feet) found in…

Science

apinnulate

Lacking pinnules, which are the small, feather-like side branches found along the arms of…

Science

biserial

Arranged in two rows or series, specifically describing the configuration of plates or…

Science

bolus

A small, rounded mass or lump of food that has been compacted during the feeding process.

Science

calyx

The main body or central cup-shaped portion of a crinoid (sea lily) that contains the…

Science

crinoid

A marine echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, which includes sea lilies and feather stars,…

Science

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.