| Agaricocrinus Temporal range: Carboniferous PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N | |
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| 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 crinoids, 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.
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.
References
- ^ 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. Bibcode:1997JPal...71..896M. doi:10.1017/S0022336000035824. JSTOR 1306565. S2CID 133209846.
- Dorit, R. L.; Walker, W. F.; Barnes, R. D. (1991). Zoology. Saunders College Publishing. pp. 790–792. ISBN 978-0-03-030504-7.
| Taxon identifiers | |
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| Agaricocrinus | |
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