1.1" Cyathocrinites Crinoid Fossil - Indiana

This is a very 3D and detailed 1.1" long Cyathocrinites crinoid from the famous Witherspoon crinoid quarry near Crawfordsville, Indiana. The quality of preparation on this fossil is exquisite - using skillful air-abrasion techniques under a stereo microscope.

Crinoids from the Ramp Creek Limestone were likely buried in sediment from nearby deltas during storms. The resulting siltstone deposits are soft enough that fossils can be extracted in exquisite, three-dimensional relief.

Crinoids, sometimes commonly referred to as sea lilies, are animals, not plants. They are echinoderms related to starfish, sea urchins, and brittle stars. Many crinoid traits are like other members of their phylum. Such traits include tube feet, radial symmetry, a water vascular system, and appendages in multiples of five (pentameral). They first appeared in the Ordovician (488 million years ago) and some species are still alive today.


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Cyathocrinites
LOCATION
Witherspoon Quarry, Crawfordsville, Indiana
FORMATION
Ramp Creek Limestone
SIZE
1.1" on 2.3x2.1" matrix
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#35039
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.