Exceptionally-Preserved Triassic Crinoids Death Assemblage

Cf Traumatocrinus sp

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea, Family Encrinidae

Geological Time: Triassic

Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Crinoid crowns are 8 mm – 38 mm across

Fossil Site: Xingyi, Guizhou Province of China


TraumatocrinusDescription: This superb plaque is covered with literally DOZENS of articulated crinoids from the Triassic of China. They most closely resemble Traumatocrinus, but Traumatocrinus crinoidsare relatively small when compared to ones I have seen in the past. Traumatocrinus is presumed to have lived a pseudopelagic existence attached to floating logs, the same as Pentamites and Seirocrinus from Europe. The largest (and thus oldest examples would be found at the bottom of the log, while progressively smaller ones would be found higher up as the log continued to lose byouancy. Ultimately the log would sink to the bottom, carrying the entire colony to a watery grave on the ocean floor. I have never seen a specimen such as this before. It would make a fine addition to any collection, whether public or private.

 

Traumatocrinus

Traumatocrinus


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