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Glite Dictionary
Comatulidae

Comatulidae

9.9
A group of sea animals called feather stars that swim freely in the ocean
  • noun
  • /kəˈmɑːtəˌliːdeɪ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Comatulidae
  • The classification of Comatulidae has largely been replaced by Antedonidae in recent taxonomic revisions.

Examples

  • In older scientific literature, some species of feather stars were assigned to the family Comatulidae.

  • The Comatulidae family includes various species of crinoids.

  • Researchers examined fossil records attributed to Comatulidae to better understand ancient marine biodiversity.

  • Did you know that Comatulidae are often found in deep waters?

  • In older scientific literature, some species of feather stars were assigned to the family Comatulidae.

  • Researchers examined fossil records attributed to Comatulidae to better understand ancient marine biodiversity.

  • The classification of Comatulidae has largely been replaced by Antedonidae in recent taxonomic revisions.

Synonyms

Antedonidae
vsComatulidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea animal with many feathery arms that looks like a star

is the older family name now treated as the same taxon

Surface Forms

Comatulidae singular
Comatulidaes plural

Morphology

Comatulidae = Comatula (opaque) = comatul + idae

This is a specialized taxonomic formation using a Latin genus stem plus the family suffix '-idae', which is not transparent to general learners.

Etymology

The word Comatulidae comes from the Latin comatus, meaning 'long-haired' or 'hair', a useful picture for the feather stars in this group that have many feathery arms like hair. So the name helps you remember these sea animals by their hair- or feather-like arms.