dolomiids

Dolomiids are a group of extinct marine invertebrates that lived during the Paleozoic Era. They are classified within the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes modern-day jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones. Dolomiids are characterized by their colonial structure, with individual polyps budding off from a central colony. These polyps were typically small and had a cup-like body with a ring of tentacles.

Fossilized dolomiids are commonly found in ancient reef environments. Their skeletons, composed of calcium carbonate, formed intricate branching or encrusting structures. These fossils provide valuable insights into the ecology and biodiversity of Paleozoic seas. While some dolomiids resembled modern corals, others had more unique morphologies, making them distinct. The exact lifestyle and feeding habits of dolomiids are inferred from their skeletal structure and associated fossil evidence, suggesting they were filter feeders or captured small planktonic organisms with their tentacles. Their extinction is linked to major environmental changes that occurred at the end of the Paleozoic Era.