Friday, July 31, 2015

Edriocrinus policiformis crinoid "cup" from the Kalkberg formation of New York

These little Edriocrinus policiformis crinoid cups are somewhat common in the Kalkberg formation of New York. They are a pretty good indicator that the rocks are lower Devonian in age. These fossils are just the base of the crinoid calyx (which may have been free floating) and there were other plates attached that would extend the calyx up to the arms. They are fairly easy to ID as they look like small gumdrops that are hollow.

Specimen #1  - The first three photos in this sequence is viewing a profile of the calyx as I rotate it 120 degrees between shots.


This is the "oral" side of the cup.
This is the anterior or bottom of the cup.

This specimen is still attached to matrix and is a little taller than the previous specimen.




The Edriocrinus policiformis fossils I found in the Kalkberg formation compare nicely to those that I found in the Licking Creek formation of Virgina as seen here. The Virginia specimens are a little larger and "more complete" but have been replaced with silica. The Kalkberg formation is concurrent with the Licking Creek formation. Both are dated to the Lockhovian-Pragian stage of the lower Devonian. I found all the above specimens at a roadcut near Schoharie, NY.

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