Pronunciation: [plˈatɪkɹˌɪnəs] (IPA) 
The word "platycrinus" is spelled with a "y" instead of an "i" despite the presence of the "i" sound in the word. This is because in Ancient Greek, from which the word derives, the letter upsilon (υ, pronounced "oo" in modern Greek) was often used to represent the sound "i" in certain contexts. Thus, the proper IPA phonetic transcription for "platycrinus" is /plætɪˈkraɪnəs/.
Platycrinus is a genus of ancient marine animals belonging to the class Crinoidea, commonly known as sea lilies. They are part of the phylum Echinodermata, which also includes starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. The genus Platycrinus is characterized by its distinct flattened shape and delicate appendages.
Sea lilies are filter-feeding organisms that lived in shallow seas during the Paleozoic era, spanning from the Ordovician to the Permian period. Platycrinus typically had a long stem that anchored them to the ocean floor, while their body or calyx was flattened and disk-shaped, resembling a flower. The calyx housed a central mouth surrounded by five arms, which in turn branched into numerous feathery appendages called pinnules. These pinnules were used to capture suspended organic particles and plankton as the sea lilies swayed in the currents.
While most members of the Platycrinus genus are extinct today, their fossil remains can be found in various regions worldwide. These fossils provide valuable insights into ancient marine ecosystems, as well as the evolution and diversity of crinoids. Platycrinus fossils are highly prized by collectors and paleontologists alike for their intricate beauty and scientific significance.
In summary, Platycrinus is a genus of sea lilies, possessing a flattened calyx with feathery arms and pinnules used for filter-feeding. These Paleozoic echinoderms were anchored to the ocean floor and played a significant role in marine ecosystems of their time.
In geol., a genus of encrinites peculiar to the carboniferous limestones-so termed from the flatness and breadth of the basal and radial plates of the receptacle.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "platycrinus" is derived from two Greek words: "platys" meaning "wide" or "broad", and "krinon" meaning "lily". The combination of these terms refers to a genus of crinoids, marine animals that resemble a lily due to their flower-like appearance. The name "platycrinus" reflects the broad shape of the crinoid's calyx or body, which distinguishes it from other species within the same family.
