Search the Community

Hey all, Recently received this pair of crinoids in a trade. I have essentially zero experience with crinoids as my crinoids in my display before this consisted of just a few pieces of stem and a few inch long articulated stem. The information I have is: Crinoids Edwardsville Formation Mississippian Indiana My initial thoughts after searching online are: Macrocrinus mundulus for the tan one, and Lanecrinus depressus for the gray one Apologies for my lack of scientific terms here: I believe this to be Macrocrinus mundulus as there is this extra stalk, the tan coloration, and the thick defined plates. I believe this to be Lanecrinus depressus as it has the more "knotty" appearance, the gray coloration, and the more defined segmented arms. Any crinoid experts able to weigh in here? Does color help in IDing crinoids or is it more shape of plates, arms, and overall body plan that gives us the IDs?

Here's a simple looking crinoid I'd like identified from the Edwardsville Formation. It's the crinoid in the center of the photograph. Two non-branching arms spring from each radial. The crown (calyx and arms exclusive of the stem) is about 5 cm long.

I was wondering who I would contact, aside from the property owner, if I had found a site that has something special. I would just like someone to look at a spot. I have never seen anything like it before. The area has never been cut or dug in any way as far as I can tell. There are slabs on the ground that have crinoid stalks in straight lines for 18-20 inches. There are stalks sticking out of the hillside. And not just a few. It is over 300 feet of creek bank with about a 2 foot layer of crinoid rich siltstone. I walked down the creek and in about 10 minutes I had filled all my pockets with stems. I am just curious what is at this site and would love to get someone to professionally take a look at the place. Who would I contact?

I found this about 10 years ago while hunting crinoids in a river near Crawfordsville IN. I believe it to be from the Edwardsville formation which is late Mississippian. This spot is famous for it's wonderfully preserved and complete crinoids, but i don't think my mystery fossil has anything to do with them. The backside of the fossil is encrusted with crinoid stem fragments (as expected), so i know the age should be correct as most crinoids found there (late Mississippian). Now it looks to me like a part of a crab carpace, but the only crab material that i have found is macro and micro pieces. The mystery piece is about 2 1/4" x 2". Have there been crabs found in Crawfordsville? If not crab, what??? Any and all ideas are welcomed and appreciated! Hopefully i can finally put this mystery to rest. "Bottom/backside" Thanks for looking!