Sealily Crinoid | Lias Epsilon | Holzmaden, Germany
Sealily Crinoid
Jurassic, Lias Epsilon, 180 million years
Urweltsteinbruch Holzmaden quarry, Holzmaden, Germany
H77 cm W49,25 cm D1,8 cm / H30.31 in W19.39 in D0.71 in
DESCRIPTION
This exceptional fossil showcases a solitary crinoid, expertly liberated from the dense sedimentary rock of Germany’s renowned Posidonia Shale. The specimen is distinguished by its small, intricately preserved calyx and a long, gracefully curled stem, both maintained in their original orientation. The exquisite detail of its delicate structures offers a rare and captivating window into the morphology of these ancient marine creatures.
The painstaking process of extracting and preparing the fossil from the thick
shale layers has preserved it in extraordinary condition, a testament to the preparator’s skill and precision. Hailing from the fossil-rich deposits of
Holzmaden, this specimen not only illuminates the prehistoric marine world but also enriches our understanding of the diversity and ecological roles of these fascinating organisms.
DOCUMENTATION
For further scientific reference:
• Hauff, R., & Hauff, D. (1981). Fossilien aus Holzmaden. Vereinigung
zur Förderung der Paläontologie in Stuttgart, Stuttgart.
• Rüdiger Birenheide, Koji Yokoyama, Tatsuo Motokawa; Cirri of the
stalked crinoid Metacrinus rotundus: neural elements and the effect
of cholinergic agonists on mechanical properties. Proc Biol Sci 1 January 2000; 267 (1438): 7–16.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2000.0959
• Gorzelak, Przemysław & Janiszewska, Katarzyna & Hoşgör, Izzet &
Salamon, Mariusz. (2025). Microstructural design of the stalk in the crinoid Seirocrinus supports its pseudoplanktonic lifestyle. Scientific
Reports. 15. 10.1038/s41598-025-16412-8.
Please contact us about shipping arrangements
Due to the size of this specimen, it will be shipped in an internationally compliant wooden crate.
Shipping costs will be calculated and billed after purchase. Please contact us if you need a specific shipping rate prior to purchase. You may opt in for in-store pickup to cut your shipping costs all together and pick up your specimen in person. You can pick up from our store location in Kemmerer, Wyoming, or we deliver to both the Denver Gem & Mineral show in the Fall and the Tucson Gem & Mineral show in the winter. For any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
Crinoids are marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata and the class Crinoidea. They are an ancient fossil group that first appeared in the seas of the mid Cambrian, about 300 million years before dinosaurs. They flourished in the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic eras and some survive to the present day.