Fossil - Sea lilies (Pentacrinites dichotomus)

Fossil - Sea lilies (Pentacrinites dichotomus)

A first-class sea lily fossil. Detailed fossilized stems, projections and tentacles of a sea lily (Pentacrinites dichotomus) in flat bottom sediment. Pentacrinites was an ancient genus of sea lilies, fossils of which are known from the Middle Triassic to Eocene periods. The stems of sea lilies of the genus Pentacrinites were pentagonal or star-shaped. In addition, the species is identified by the long, unbranched, downward-growing extensions (cirri) around the stem.

Early Jurassic, Sinemurian stage, c. 190.8–199.3 million years ago, Charmouth, West Dorset, England. The sediment is approximately 145mm x 85mm x 18mm in size. Weight approx. 280g.

Crinoids (Crinoidea) are a group of invertebrate animals belonging to the main phylum Echinodermata (Echinodermata), which resemble plants in appearance. The species name comes from the Greek words "krinon" (lily) and "eidos" (form). The term "sea lilies" can refer to the entire class Crinoidea, but it can also mean only the stemmed members of the class, while the stemless ones are called hair stars (Comatulida). There are about 600 known living species of the class Crinoidea. Some of these live in the depths of the oceans (up to more than 9,000 meters deep) while others live in shallow (about 200 meters deep) coral reefs. More than 5,000 species have been identified from fossils. Sea lilies evolved as early as the Ordovician period about 485 million years ago, or possibly much earlier.

Note! Fossils are natural products that are millions of years old, so each one is unique. Therefore, colors, shapes and brightness may vary. The condition varies from fair to good and they have the wear, cracks and small chips typical of fossils.