Detailed Moroccan Silurian Camerate Crinoid

Description: Well preserved example of a distinctive Camerate crinoid type. This fine example is of the genus Scyphocrinites (Family Scyphocrinitidae). Scyphocrinites was a cosmopolitan crinoid with examples found of similar ages in the United States, Africa, Europe, and Asia. It has an intricate calyx with many stellate plates. A bulbous structure called Camarocrinus has been associated with these crinoids, and is the reason for its widespread existence in the Upper Silurian/Lower Devonian. This structure is believed to be a float, with the crinoid leading a pelagic existence, allowing it to cover much territory. They are sometimes found in mass associations. This is a fine example of this variety of Camerate crinoid to be found in the late Silurian deposits of Morocco, with much detail to the calyx, and many fine pinnules present. There are several other stems present as well.