GLYPTOCRINUS Meaning and
Definition
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Glyptocrinus is a genus of extinct crinoids that thrived during the Paleozoic Era, particularly in the Middle and Late Ordovician periods around 480 to 450 million years ago. Crinoids, commonly known as sea lilies or feather stars, are echinoderms that possess a stem and a crown-like structure composed of feathery arms.
The genus Glyptocrinus is characterized by its unique features and morphology. It is distinguished by a cup-shaped body known as the calyx, which consists of multiple plates arranged in a circular pattern. These plates are intricately ornamented, exhibiting distinct grooves and ridges that give the genus its name, derived from the Greek words "glypto" meaning carved or engraved and "krinon" meaning lily.
Glyptocrinus had a lengthy segmented stem that attached the crinoid to the seafloor, allowing it to anchor itself and filter feed by extending its arms into the water column. The arms were composed of numerous highly branched structures called pinnules, which facilitated the capture of microscopic organisms for nourishment.
These crinoids are commonly found as fossils in marine sedimentary rocks, often preserved in exquisite detail. Their fossilized remains aid scientists in understanding ancient marine ecosystems and contribute to the reconstruction of paleoenvironments. The study of Glyptocrinus and other crinoids provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of marine life across geological time.
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A genus of Lower Silurian encrinites, characterised by their highly-ornamented basal plates.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for GLYPTOCRINUS
- flyptocrinus
- vlyptocrinus
- blyptocrinus
- hlyptocrinus
- ylyptocrinus
- tlyptocrinus
- gkyptocrinus
- gpyptocrinus
- goyptocrinus
- gltptocrinus
- glgptocrinus
- glhptocrinus
- gluptocrinus
- gl7ptocrinus
- gl6ptocrinus
- glyotocrinus
- glyltocrinus
- gly-tocrinus
- gly0tocrinus
- glyprocrinus
Etymology of GLYPTOCRINUS
The word "glyptocrinus" is a combination of two Greek terms: "glyptos" and "krinon".
1. "Glyptos" (γλυπτος) comes from the Greek verb "glyphein" (γλύφειν), which means "to carve" or "to sculpt". The suffix "-os" indicates that it is an adjective form.
2. "Krinon" (κρίνων) means "lily" in Greek and is used to refer to various plants and animals that have a lily-like appearance.
Therefore, when the two terms are combined, "glyptocrinus" can be roughly translated as "carved lily". This name is given to a genus of fossil crinoids, which are marine animals resembling flowers and commonly referred to as sea lilies.
