Agaricocrinus
Agaricocrinus is a genus of extinct crinoids, belonging to the family Coelocrinidae.
| Agaricocrinus | |
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| Fossil specimen of Agaricocrinus splendens from United States, on display at Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée in Paris | |
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| Family: | Coelocrinidae |
| Genus: | Agaricocrinus Austin 1851 |
These stationary upper-level epifaunal suspension feeders lived in the Carboniferous period and in the Osagean age of United States, from 353.8 to 345.0 Ma.[1][2]
Selected species
- Agaricocrinus americanus Roemer
- Agaricocrinus splendens Miller and Gurley
Description
Like extant crinoids, Agaricocrinus species was anchored to a hard surface by a holdfast out of which grew an articulated stalk. On top of this was a calyx with a number of feather-like arms. Each arm bore short branches known as pinnules and from these cirri were extended which sifted plankton from the water flowing past.[3]
References
- The Paleobiology Database
- Meyer, David L.; Ausich, William I. (1997). "Morphologic Variation within and among Populations of the Camerate Crinoid Agaricocrinus (Lower Mississippian, Kentucky and Tennessee): Breaking the Spell of the Mushroom". Journal of Paleontology. 71 (5): 896–917. JSTOR 1306565.
- Dorit, R. L.; Walker, W. F.; Barnes, R. D. (1991). Zoology. Saunders College Publishing. pp. 790–792. ISBN 978-0-03-030504-7.
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