Xyloplax medusiformis

Xyloplax medusiformis

Data Deficient (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Peripodida
Family: Xyloplacidae
Genus: Xyloplax
Species:
X. medusiformis
Binomial name
Xyloplax medusiformis
Baker, Rowe & Clark, 1986

Xyloplax medusiformis is a sea daisy, a member of an unusual group of marine taxa belonging to the phylum Echinodermata. It is found at bathyal depths in waters around New Zealand. It was first described in 1986 by Baker, Rowe and Clark and is the type taxon of the genus Xyloplax. Its generic name derives from the Greek "xylo" meaning wood and its specific name was chosen because its morphology superficially resembles that of a cnidarian medusa.