Higher classification Xyloplacidae Rank Genus | Scientific name Xyloplax | |
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Infraclass ConcentricycloideaBaker, Rowe & Clark, 1986 Order PeripodidaBaker, Rowe & Clark, 1986 Family XyloplacidaeBaker, Rowe & Clark, 1986 Similar Pyura spinifera, Homalozoa, Brittle star, Velatida, Asterozoa |
Sea daisy nature diary 117
Sea daisies (infraclass Concentricycloidea; order Peripodida) make up an unusual group of deep-sea taxa belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, with three species described in the genus Xyloplax.
Contents
Distribution
![Sea daisy New Zealand sea daisy Starfish sea urchins and other echinoderms](https://alchetron.com/cdn/sea-daisy-5e060134-754d-47fa-b2aa-9f35831ce0d-resize-750.jpg)
Sea daisies have been discovered in three localities, including deep-sea habitats off New Zealand, the Bahamas and most recently from the northern central Pacific. They have been collected primarily from sunken, deep-sea (1000+ meters) wood. Although known from only a handful of specimens initially, nearly 100 specimens have been collected from the Bahamas with decent numbers collected from the north central Atlantic.
Classification
![Sea daisy Cereus pedunculatus](https://alchetron.com/cdn/sea-daisy-da14fb3d-38c6-4e7e-bf9d-c92f0634262-resize-750.jpg)
Since they were discovered in 1986, their position within the echinoderms has been debated. At first they were placed in a new class, Concentricycloidea, since it was unclear whether they might have affinities with asteroids or ophiuroids. The former view gained acceptance, and since 2006, they are currently considered a sister group to the Infraclass Neoasteroidea, which represents all post-Paleozoic asteroids within the Class Asteroidea.
Class Asteroidea, Infraclass Concentricycloidea, Order Peripoda (or Peripodida), Family Xyloplacidae
![Sea daisy Sea Daisy The Brighter Side of Daisies I shot these gorge Flickr](https://alchetron.com/cdn/sea-daisy-35b62b23-ad55-48f7-9f15-c19c7841ddf-resize-750.jpeg)
![Sea daisy Asteroidea BIO 1240616Echinodermata](https://alchetron.com/cdn/sea-daisy-36de54e0-a062-4f60-85d8-5bf09084d47-resize-750.gif)