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Name:
Actinocrinites gibsoni & Onychaster flexilis
Age: Mississippian
Formation: Edwardsville
Location: Crawfordsville, Indiana
Size: Crinoid is almost 14 inches long including stem
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Here is a fabulous crinoid/starfish association plate that tells a story. This large crinoid is Actinocrinites gibsoni from the Mississippian of Indiana. This "sea lily" is nicely inflated and exhibits excellent detail. A long, 3-dimensional stem is attached to the huge, stellate-plated cup. The heavy, biserial arms are festooned with fine pinnules. The extremely nodose anal tube of the crinoid is displayed between the arms. Now is when the story begins. A very dark, unusual starfish, Onychaster flexilis, is wrapped around the anal tube of the crinoid. Some people postulate that the starfish was trying to eat the crinoid. However, most authorities are convinced that this association represents a true symbiotic relationship between the two organisms. The starfish lived off the excrement produced by the crinoid. In doing so, the starfish cleaned up the environment so that the crinoid could keep living. Crinoids have to live in a very clean environment or they perish. This fossil starfish displays very fine detail. The plate structure is clearly defined - even the tube feet of the organism can be seen. The fossils have great color and superb contrast with the yellowish-brown matrix. The crinoid is wonderfully centered on the large, displayable plate of siltstone. The crinoid, by itself, is spectacular. To have a starfish in association with the crinoid makes this unique specimen worthy of any collection or museum.
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