Echmatocrinus

Echmatocrinus brachiatus is an extinct species of Cambrian animal which resembles a crinoid or an octocoral. Its exact taxonomy is still a subject of debate. It is known only from the Burgess shale.^[1] Around 20 specimens of Echmatocrinus are known; these comprise < 0.02% of the community.^[2][3]

Echmatocrinus Temporal range: Burgess shale PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Echmatocrinus brachiatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	incertae sedis
Genus:	†Echmatocrinus
Species:	†E. brachiatus
Binomial name
†Echmatocrinus brachiatus Sprinkle 1973

The creature was a little like an inverted cone, with a crown of seven to ten tentacles.^[3] Each tentacle was covered with small extensions. The cone itself was covered with irregularly arranged mineralised plates,^[1] whose texture recalls that of the Burgess Shale echinoderm Walcottidiscus. The organisms lived a solitary lifestyle, although juveniles are sometimes attached to (or budding from) adults.^[1]