Delocrinus Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Crinoidea |
Order: | † Dendrocrinida |
Family: | † Catacrinidae |
Genus: | †
Delocrinus Miller and Gurley, 1890 |
Species | |
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]
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]