Delocrinus
Temporal range: Carboniferous–Permian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Crinoidea
Order: †Dendrocrinida
Family: †Catacrinidae
Genus: †Delocrinus
Miller and Gurley, 1890
Species
  • Delocrinus admirensis
  • Delocrinus densus
  • Delocrinus missouriensis
  • Delocrinus titicara
  • Delocrinus vastus
  • Delocrinus verbeeki
  • Delocrinus vulgatus

Delocrinus is a genus of extinct crinoids, belonging to the family Catacrinidae.[1] Specimens have been found in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Arizona, Iowa, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

Eperisocrinus missouriensis, formerly delocrinus missouriensis, was made the state fossil of Missouri in 1989.[2]

Description

Like extant crinoids, Delocrinus 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. ^ "Delocrinus". Palaeobiology Database.
  2. ^ "Missouri's State Fossil". Office of the Secretary of State, Missouri. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ 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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