The Spinulosida are an
order of
sea star
Starfish or sea stars are Star polygon, star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class (biology), class Asteroidea (). Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to brittle star, ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to ...
s containing at least 120 species in seven genera and one family.
Spinulosids completely lack
pedicellaria
A pedicellaria (plural: pedicellariae) is a small wrench- or claw-shaped appendage with movable jaws, called valves, commonly found on echinoderms (phylum Echinodermata), particularly in sea stars (class Asteroidea) and sea urchins (class Echi ...
e and have a delicate skeletal arrangement. Their name comes from the presence of numerous low spines on the aboral (upper) surface.
No fossil spinulosids have yet been found.
Taxonomy
The following family is recognised by the
World Register of Marine Species
The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms.
Content
The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scientific specialist ...
:
[
* ]Echinasteridae
The Echinasteridae are a family of starfish in the monotypic order Spinulosida. The family includes eight genera and about 133 species found on the seabed in various habitats around the world.
Taxonomy
Echinasteridae contains eight genera and ...
Verrill, 1870
References
Echinoderm orders
{{Asteroidea-stub