Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Life on a Brachiopod

This specimen is an interesting example of biodiversity layer upon layer. The top layer consists for at least 5 crinoid holdfast probably belonging to the Eucalyptocrinus. See following magnified images for more detail. These holdfasts attached to an encrusting bryozoan that could be either Lichenalia or Sagenella. The bryozoan is covering an Eospirifer brachiopod.

Creatures lived in the Middle Silurian Period (425-419 million years ago). Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County, Indiana, USA.