Museum Quality Free-Swimming Solnhofen Crinoid

Description: This is an exquisitely-preserved example of a free-swimming, stemless crinoid from the Jurassic Lithographic Limestone of Solnhofen, Germany, known as Comaturella pennata. Interestingly, Solnhofen preserves only one stalked crinoid (Millericrinus), with the balance being various Comatulid types such as this. It has been called Pterocoma pennata, but that genus is preoccupied by a genus of insects established in 1834. The limestone deposits are known best for the handful of examples of the early bird Archaeopteryx, but are renowned for the incredible detail of all specimens. That detail is well displayed here. The feathery pinnules are well splayed out, details that were brought out by countless hours of preparation by hand through the use of fine needles. The extremely elongated pinnules seem to be an adaptation to a low current environment. The long pinnules would be better able to filter out the limited food supplies, giving this crinoid an advantage over others. Another Comatulid from the area, Saccocoma, was able to travel freely through the water column, compensating for low food levels by covering a lot of ocean. Examples of such fine detail are rarely offered, and the amount of time devoted to their preparation commands a price commensurate with their rarity and beauty.