2.8" Plate of Two Fossil Crinoids with Coral - Indiana

Plate of Two Fossil Crinoids with Coral - Indiana #269738

This 2.8" wide slab of rock contains two fossil crinoids and coral, collected from the famous crinoid beds near Crawfordsville, Indiana. The quality of preparation on these fossils is exquisite, using skillful air-abrasion techniques under a stereo microscope. The smallest crinoid (Onychocrinus ulrichi) can be found at the center of the coral.

Species by #:

#81 - Onychocrinus ulrichi
#100 - Cyathocrinites iowensis
#110 - Cladochonus beecheri (coral)

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.

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.

About Crinoids