Fenestellidae

/ˌfɛnɪˈstɛlɪdi/ noun

Definition

A family of extinct colonial marine animals from the Paleozoic era that built delicate, lace-like structures in the ocean.

Etymology

From Latin 'fenestra' meaning 'window' combined with the scientific suffix '-idae' for biological families; the name refers to the small window-like openings in their skeleton structures.

Kelly Says

These creatures were nicknamed 'lace corals' because their fossils look like intricate lacework underwater—their name literally means 'little window animals,' and you can actually see the tiny window-holes under a microscope!

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