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.
| Delocrinus Temporal range:
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|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Crinoidea |
| Order: | †Dendrocrinida |
| Family: | †Catacrinidae |
| Genus: | †Delocrinus Miller and Gurley, 1890 |
| Species | |
Eperisocrinus missouriensis, formerly Delocrinus missouriensis, was made the state fossil of Missouri in 1989.[2]
Description
editLike 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
edit- ^ "Delocrinus". Palaeobiology Database.
- ^ "Missouri's State Fossil". Office of the Secretary of State, Missouri. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Dorit, R. L.; Walker, W. F.; Barnes, R. D. (1991). Zoology. Saunders College Publishing. pp. 790–792. ISBN 978-0-03-030504-7.