Spectacular Crinoid & Starfish Association - Crawfordsville, Indiana

This is a spectacular association piece from Crawfordsville, Indiana. Central on the piece is a detailed and very 3d Agaricocrinus americanus. There are two Macrocrinus mundulus associated with it, both with preserved anal tubes. Wrapped around the base of the Agaricocrinus is a rare starfish, Onychaster flexilis. The Agaricocrinus also has some bulges in the arms which are due to parasites.

The Agaricocrinus is 3.2" long and the entire piece measures 5x5" square. The quality of preparation on this fossil is exquisite - using skillful air-abrasion techniques under a stereo microscope. Comes with a display stand.

It is believed that crinoids from the Ramp Creek Limestone were 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.