Crinoids are assigned to the phylum Echinodermata, a group of radially symmetrical marine animals, such as the starfish, sea urchins, and brittle stars. Crinoids are commonly referred to as "sea lilies". These flower-like marine invertebrate animals are beautifully colored and live as solitary individuals. This species is characterized by a globular body enclosed by a small calyx, from which freely moving arms extended upward to gather food. At the bottom of the jointed, flexible stem, was a root-like structure by which it was attached to the sea bottom. During the past 170 million years, chemical alteration has replaced the original skeletal hard parts of the fossil with pyrite, also known as "fools gold." An original specimen of this size would cost at least $5000- $8000. Pentacrinus subangularis was a marine crocodile from the world-renown late Jurassic, black, oil-bearing shale or slate at Holzmaden, Germany. In the area around Holzmaden, slate was quarried for hundreds of years and is still quarried today up to 38 feet in depth. The slate is mainly used for floor slabs and table tops. Thousands of highly remarkable fossils have been found in the quarries. Many of the fossils are covered in golden pyrite. This is locality is referred to by geologists and paleontologists as a Lagerst�tten because of the exceptional preservation of fossils and their diversity. Late Jurassic Posideona Shale Holzmaden, Germany Shipping Included
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