Beautiful large crinoid specimen from Morocco. These marine animals were among the earliest life forms to inhabit the planet. Discovered in the northwestern Sahara. Crinoids are a class of echinoderms, the only class within the subphylum Crinozoa. The class includes 648 living species and over 5,000 fossil species. They are commonly known as sea lilies or feather stars. Appearing in the Ordovician period, crinoids were widespread throughout the entire Paleozoic era. ***Explosive support for illustrative purposes only and not included.