Eucalyptocrinites elrodi Crinoids

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Eucalyptocrinites elrodi
Waldron Shale Formation
Shelby County, IN
Silurian
 
Here is an exquisite crinoid from the Waldron Shale Formation. The Eucalyptocrinites elrodi is the second most common crinoid found in the Waldron Shale, but specimens of this quality might be found once every couple of years. This beautiful specimen measures 2 1/4" long and even has a bit of the stem preserved. This crinoid is synonymous Eucalyptocrinites tuberculatus named appropriately for the tubercules or pustules that this species is known for.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Eucalyptocrinites elrodi
Waldron Shale Formation
Shelby County, IN
Silurian
 
Here is another Eucalyptocrinites elrodi crinoid from the Waldron Shale Formation. This crinoid is totally free of matrix and exhibits the tuberculated arms on only the part that is pictured. On the other half of the crinoid, the arms washed away when the crinoid fell into the silty bottom of the sea floor when it died. This is a characteristic that most of the complete crinoids found in the Waldron Shale exhibit. This pustulated specimen measures 1 3/4" long.