Fossil Sea Lily, Crinoid Star Block, Lower Lias, Charmouth, Jurassic Coast, Dorset Certificated

Description

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Specimen: Crinoid Star Block

Age: Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias, Jurassic

Location: Stonebarrow, Lower Lias, Dorset, UK

Scale cube=1cm: Full sizing please see photo.

Crinoids, commonly known as sea lilies or feather stars, are marine animals that belong to the phylum Echinodermata. They have a rich evolutionary history and have been present in Earth’s oceans for over 500 million years. Despite their name, crinoids are not plants; they are indeed animals.

Here are some key characteristics and features of crinoids:

1. Body Structure:

• Crinoids have a cup-shaped body known as the calyx, which contains the vital organs.
• Radiating from the calyx are long, slender arms that are feathery in appearance. These arms are used for filter-feeding.

Feeding:

• Crinoids are filter feeders, capturing small particles from the water using their tube feet and mucous-covered pinnules.
• The feeding process involves the extension of their arms into the water to collect suspended organic matter, which is then transported to the mouth.

Stalk or No Stalk:

• Some crinoids are sessile and attached to the substrate by a long stalk, while others are free-swimming and do not have a stalk.
• The stalked varieties are often referred to as sea lilies, while the unstalked forms are called feather stars.

Habitats:

• Crinoids are primarily found in deep-sea environments, but they can also inhabit shallow waters.
• They attach themselves to rocks, coral reefs, or other substrates, depending on whether they are stalked or not.

Fossil Record:

• Crinoids have an extensive fossil record, and many different species have been identified throughout geological time.
• Fossilized crinoid remains are often referred to as “crinoid columns” when they consist of the stacked sections of the stalk.

Diversity:

• There are around 600 living species of crinoids, and they belong to the classes Crinoidea and Articulata.
• The diversity of crinoids was much greater in the past, particularly during the Paleozoic era.

Regeneration:

• Some crinoids are capable of regenerating lost parts, such as arms or even the entire body.

Crinoids are fascinating creatures that contribute to the biodiversity of marine ecosystems. They play a role in the food web as filter feeders and have survived major extinction events throughout Earth’s history. Their unique appearance and evolutionary history make them important subjects of study for paleontologists and marine biologists alike.

ACTUAL AS SEEN: The image shows the EXACT specimen you will receive. The specimen has been carefully hand selected and photographed. Measurements are as accurate as possible, though be aware measuring precise dimensions can be difficult from irregular shaped items. Whilst we portray colours as close to life-like as we can, colours will vary if taken in sunlight, indoors, from monitor to monitor and device to device. Once this specimen is sold, we will update this listing with new similar selected item, with a new photo and dimensions.