Helicocystis
Extinct genus of marine invertebrates
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helicocystis is an extinct genus of early echinoderm known from the Jbel Wawrmast Formation of Morocco, dating to the Cambrian Stage 5 (approximately 507 million years ago). It represents a significant transitional fossil in the evolutionary history of echinoderms, as it possesses a pentaradial (five-fold) body plan while maintaining characteristics of more primitive, spiral-shaped ancestors.[1]
| Helicocystis Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Stem group: | Echinodermata |
| Family: | †Helicocystitidae |
| Genus: | †Helicocystis |
| Species: | †H. moroccoensis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Helicocystis moroccoensis Smith & Zamora, 2013[1] | |
Description
The Helicocystis can be described as a stalked, spiralling pentaradial echinoderm known from the Cambrian Jbel Wawrmast Formation. The approximate length is between 5 and 20 millimeters (0.2 to 0.8 inches)[2]
Ecology
Like other early echinoderms, Helicocystis was a marine organism that fed on plankton.[2]
