Delocrinus

Delocrinus Temporal range: Carboniferous–Permian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Scientific 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.