Four 3D models of representative Crinoidea fossils.

Virtual Collection: Class Crinoidea

This virtual collection was last curated by Jaleigh Pier August 20, 2019. Each model is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Unless otherwise indicated, each model was created by Emily Hauf using specimens at the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York.

Major morphological features of crinoids (annotated models)


Calyx and arms (crown)


Specimen of the crinoid Eucalyptocrinites caelatus from the Silurian period of Niagara County, New York (PRI 70772). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Specimen is approximately 5 cm in length and represents the calyx and arms of the crinoid animal.


Stem and stem segments


Fossil specimen of an articulated series of crinoid stem segments from the Pennsylvanian of Tulsa, Oklahoma (PRI 76733). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Specimen is approximately 4.5 cm in length.


A piece of crinoidal limestone consisting of hundreds of indvidual crinoid stem segments, from the Mississippian Keokuk Limestone of Monroe County, Indiana (PRI 76734). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Longest dimension of specimen is approximately 8.5 cm.


Holdfast


Fossil specimen of the holdfast of the crinoid Eucalyptocrinus sp. from the Silurian Waldron Shale of Shelby County, Indiana (PRI 76776). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Longest dimension of rock is approximately 9.5 cm.

Diversity of crinoids

Order Cladida


Fossil specimens of the crinoids Stellarocrinus bilineatus (PRI 49827) and Brabeocrinus christinae (PRI 76675) from the Pennsylvanian Bond Fm. of Livingston County, Illinois. Specimen is on display at the Museum of the Earth, Ithaca, New York. Longest dimension of rock is approximately 8.5 cm.

Order Homocrinida


Fossil crinoid Daedalocrinus sp. from the Ordovician period (PRI 49826). Specimen is on public display at the Museum of the Earth, Ithaca, New York. Length of specimen is approximately 7.5 cm. 

Order Monobathrida


Fossil specimen of the crinoid Agaricocrinus americanus from the Mississippian Edwardsville Formation of Montgomery County, Indiana (PRI 70601). Also present is a small, parasitic gastropod called Palaeocapulus equilateralis. Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Length of crinoid is approximtely 10 cm.


Fossil specimens of the crinoid Melocrinus williamsi from the Devonian Ithaca Formation of Cortland County, New York. Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Specimen preserves mineralized hard parts (stem segments) and external molds of stem segments and the calyx. Rock slab is approximately 29 cm in length.


Fossil crinoid Actinocrinites gibsoni from the Carboniferous (Mississippian) Edwardsville Formation of Montgomery County, Indiana (PRI 78779). A feeding gastropod, Platyceras (Orthonychia) equilaterum, is associated with this specimen (PRI 78780). Specimen is from the research collection of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Length of crinoid is approximately 10 cm.