Bentseenia

Bentseenia is a fictional genus created for illustrative purposes in educational materials to model Paleozoic reef ecosystems. The organisms are modeled as small, benthic invertebrates forming encrusting to low-domed colonies composed of irregular calcareous plates, with a lattice-like growth form.

The genus comprises three commonly cited species: Bentseenia marina (the type species), Bentseenia borealis, and Bentseenia tropica. Colonies measure roughly 5–12 mm across, with individual modules bearing pore openings for feeding.

Morphology includes dorsoventrally flattened plates with sinuous ridges; colonies are sessile and reef-attached, presumed to be suspension feeders that obtained nutrition from gentle currents. The overall form suggests a life habit similar to other encrusting invertebrates, while retaining distinctive plate arrangements that distinguish Bentseenia in teaching reconstructions.

Fossil records in the fictional scenario place Bentseenia in warm-temperate to tropical shallow seas during the early to mid-Paleozoic, with simulated deposits in regions corresponding to modern Europe and North America. The genus is used in educational contexts to demonstrate how encrusting organisms can contribute to reef structure and to illustrate morphological convergence among reef-associated taxa.

Bentseenia is used to illustrate convergent evolution with bryozoans and other encrusting invertebrates. It is not a real taxon; the entry serves as an example for teaching and learning. This article describes a fictional taxon; no real-world references are provided.