Beaded Crinoid

The beaded crinoid has a cup shaped body, usually hidden from sight, from which about twenty arms project. Only a few of these are usually visible at one time and each can be curled up in a coil. Short pinnules extend from either side of the arms like vanes on a feather. Both the arms and the pinnules are formed from a large number of jointed plates which gives them great overall flexibility. There is an ambulacral groove along the oral surface of each pinnule which is continuous with grooves on the arms. These are linked to grooves leading to the mouth forming feeding channels. The grooves have flap-like lappets overhanging them. At each plate junction on the pinnules there are three tube feet of different length used in food capture and manipulation.

The beaded crinoid is found in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is found at depths between 15 and 40 metres (49 and 131 ft) and is generally uncommon. These crinoids often live in the same concealed spot for several years and should not be moved by divers as they are very sensitive to changes in water temperature and illumination.