Scyphocrinus Crinoid with Dalmanites Trilobite (with stand)
A duo of a trilobite fossil and crinoid fossil (with bulb, stem, and head in tact)! The preservation is wonderful. It is an aesthetically pleasing specimen, with a reddish brown coloration that many Moroccan fossils are known for. The mortality plate is sold with a stand.
Measures: ~6" long x 6-1/2" wide x 2-1/2" deep
Time period: Devonian, 350 MYO
Location: Morocco, Africa
Crinoids began life some 530 million years ago. They are plant-like sea creatures, some of which either root themselves underwater or gently float along the sea bed, gathering tiny organisms for nourishment. Crinoids often resemble flowers planted in the sea floor, giving them their name from the Greek word for "Lilly." Crinoids are remarkably adaptable animals and they are a good example of what is referred to as a "living fossil", as many different species live today but only deep in our seas and oceans.
A simple breakdown of a Crinoids anatomy consists of... The Stem which is segmented, flexible and composed of a number of roundish ossicles which are held together by soft tissues. The entire length of the stem is hollow, similarly to a straw. However, that is where the nervous system is located. Attached to the base of the stem are roots which some types of Crinoids use to attach themselves to the sea bed. The Calyx is a small section located under the arms. Much of a Crinoids vital organs, including its mouth and anus are located in the calax. The Arms, are feeding tubes which extend out from the Calyx and deliver microscopic particles to the creatures mouth.
Whereas most Crinoids either root themselves or are free floating, some actually have the ability to slowly walk the ocean floors.
Trilobites are extinct hard shelled marine arthropods with amazingly great diversity. It is estimated there were over 15,000 known species of Trilobita, making them the most diverse animal life form that ever existed on earth. In Morocco, new Trilobite specimens are being discovered every year. Trilobites are are important as paleo-zoic guide fossils, having existed for over 270 million years. They began their existence during the early Cambrian time period (520 mya), long before dinosaurs existed but went extinct around 250 mya, before dinosaurs died out.
Trilobites keen eye structures were highly adaptable to their environment. Some had lenses extending off of antenna like protrusions, while others had large eyes with thousands of lenses which enabled the creature to see 360 degrees. The name Trilobite means "three lobes", and is so named due to the long sections of the animals body, the Left & Right Pleural Lobes and the middle Axial Lobe.
With their graceful body lines one can understand why these interesting yet bizarre creatures have been nicknamed "The Butterflies of the Sea".