Friday, August 7, 2015

Zeacrinites wortheni Crinoid Calyx Fossil


These pictures appear to show a Zeacrinites wortheni (Hall, 1858) crinoid calyx fossil. If you look close at the top of the calyx image is a small point that appears to be part of the anal tube. It was found in the Glen Dean Member of Grayson County, Kentucky, USA. The fossil dates to the Mississippian Period. It is small about 1.5 cm tall.

Thanks to Kenny for the pictures.

Dr. James Hall named this species on page 69 in the 1858 Geological Survey of Iowa Part 2. He wrote "This is apparently a species distinct from Z. magnoliaformis, with shorter first radials extending little above the plane of the base , and arms much shorter and less robust;
for which I propose the name Zeacrinus worteni" He also describes the fossil on pages 683-684.