Thursday, August 26, 2010

Macrocrinus Crinioid with Metablastus Blastoid


On the right is a Macrocrinus mundulus crinoid with its stem, calyx and anal tube intact.  The fossil on the left is an intact blastoid called Metablastus wachsmuthi.  These creatures existed in the Mississippian Period.  The fossils were found in Indian Creek, Indiana.  They are on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  Alex Fabian of Temperance, Michigan loaned the fossils for display.