Axinactis

Axinactis is a genus of extinct sea lilies (crinoids) belonging to the subclass Camerata. These crinoids lived during the Ordovician period. Fossils of Axinactis have been found in North America. They are characterized by a distinctive cup-shaped calyx composed of numerous plates, and are significant for understanding the evolution and diversification of crinoids during the Paleozoic Era. The genus is classified within specific families and orders of Camerata crinoids, reflecting shared morphological characteristics and evolutionary relationships with other members of that group. Further research and fossil discoveries continue to refine our understanding of Axinactis and its place in the broader crinoid phylogeny. The study of Axinactis contributes to understanding paleoecology and biogeography of the Ordovician period.