Agaricocrinus
| Agaricocrinus Temporal range: Carboniferous | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fossil specimen of Agaricocrinus splendens from United States, on display at Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée in Paris | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Crinoidea |
| Family: | Coelocrinidae |
| Genus: | Agaricocrinus Austin 1851 |
Agaricocrinus is a genus of extinct crinoid, belonging to the family Coelocrinidae.
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
- 1 2 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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