noun
- A free-swimming crinoid (marine animal) of the genus Comatula, lacking a stalk in its adult form.
Usage: zoology; technical
Examples
- The comatula is a type of crinoid found in tropical and subtropical seas.
- Unlike stalked crinoids, the comatula swims freely through the water column.
- Marine biologists collected several comatula specimens during the deep-sea expedition.
- The comatula uses its feathery arms to filter feed on plankton.
- In its larval stage, the comatula is attached to the seafloor before becoming mobile.