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Living Comatulids

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2017

Charles G. Messing
Charles G. Messing*
Affiliation:
Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive Dania, Florida 33004, USA
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Abstract

Comatulid crinoids, or featherstars, are the dominant group of living crinoids and occur in a wide range of modern marine environments from the intertidal zone to the abyss. This chapter outlines current understanding of comatulid classification, distribution, feeding ecology, diets, predation, and taphonomy. A detailed introduction to morphological features, terms and associated symbology is given together with a discussion of practical aspects of working with specimens and the difficulties associated with species identifications. An artificial key to the families of comatulids is included.

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Research Article
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The Paleontological Society Papers , Volume 3: Geobiology of Echinoderms , October 1997, pp. 3 - 30
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Copyright © 1997 by The Paleontological Society 

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