rhombiferan, a. and n. Palæont.
(rɒmˈbɪfərən)
Also Rhombiferan.
[f. as rhombifer + -an.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to a group of cystoid echinoderms whose calyx plates are penetrated by groups of tubes forming a rhombic pattern. B. n. A rhombiferan echinoderm.
| 1920 H. L. Hawkins Invertebr. Palæont. ii. iii. 160 Late forms of Rhombiferan Cystids, and perhaps of Amphoridea, have been reported from the Devonian, but they are inconspicuous. 1962 D. Nichols Echinoderms xi. 136 A section of a pore-rhomb..shows that in some rhombiferans the depressions between the pores of each pair were deep grooves. 1966 McGraw–Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. IV. 366/1 (caption) Rhombiferan cystoid (Echinoencrinus, Ordovician), showing pore rhomb and anus on side of calyx. 1978 Jrnl. Paleont. LII. 717/2 The elongate, cylindrical stems of Caryocrinites ornatus..resemble those of many crinoids and differ from the short conical stalks typical of rhombiferans. |