"From Fossils to Medicine: The Surprising Science of Crinoids (Sea Lilies)"

Well-Known Facts ➣ Crinoids, 450-million-year-old “living fossils,” filter plankton with feathery arms resembling underwater flowers. Stalked species cling to the seafloor (leaving abundant limestone fossils), while feather stars crawl or swim freely. Cousins to starfish, they share the echinoderms’ five-part symmetry and water-based circulatory system. Lesser-Known Facts ➣ Feather stars, the free-moving crinoids, can “swim” by rhythmically waving their arms—though they prefer crawling. Some species biofluoresce under UV light (glowing red or green), though deep-sea bioluminescence remains unconfirmed. Masters of regeneration, they regrow lost arms or even entire bodies from fragments. Their feathery arms host tiny shrimp and crabs for protection, despite lacking a heart or brain—relying instead on a water vascular system. Once Paleozoic superstars, their fossils built limestone beds, but today’s crinoids thrive in abyssal depths over 9,000 feet. Larvae drift as plankton for weeks, and some split asexually to reproduce. Named krinon (Greek for “lily”), they live up to their floral nickname, even if they crawl at a glacial 1–5 cm per minute. Why They Matter ➣ Ecological Role: Crinoids help recycle nutrients and provide habitat for small marine life. ➣ Climate Clues: Fossil crinoids help scientists study ancient ocean conditions and climate change. ➣ Medical Research: Their regenerative abilities inspire studies on human tissue repair. Credits: Photo by Elvina Yolanda from Pexels Video by Jack Drafahl from Pixabay Video by Jack Drafahl from Pixabay #Science #Oceanlovers #MarineBiology #DBrainFuel #Crinoids https://www.youtube.com/@d-brainfuel https://www.instagram.com/dbrainfuel/ https://www.facebook.com/people/D-Brain-Fuel/61574529035003/ https://www.bilibili.tv/en/space/1215964462