Cheirocystis
Classification
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Rhombifera
Order: Glyptocystitida
Family: Cheirocrinidae
Genus: Cheirocystis Paul, 1972
Cincinnatian Species: Cheirocystis fultonensis
Geologic Range
Middle Ordovician
Common Paleoecology
Cheirocystis is an extinct genus of stationary intermediate-level epifaunal suspension feeders
Identification in Hand Sample:
- All plate circlets closed
- Six radial plates
- Ambulacra confined to flat oral surface
- 8-16 disjunct pectinirhombs
Published Description
Paul (1972):
- A genus of Cheirocrinidae with all plate circlets closed, six radial plates; short ambulacra confined to flat oral surface; 8-16 disjunct pectinirhombs. Cheirocystis is proposed for a group of species which have most features identical to Cheirocystella but possess more efficient disjunct pectinirhombs.
C. fultonensis
