Largest Crinoidea Fossil Discovered in Southwest China

2007-01-03 20:57:32 CRIENGLISH.com

A Crinoidea fossil covering an area of 27.3 square meters has been found in southwestern China's Guizhou Province. Experts believe it is the largest fossil ever found in the world.

Xinhua News Agency reports, a Crinoidea fossil can rarely be preserved in its full shape. And the fossil has a history of over 220 million years. Relevant government departments intercepted it when a criminal gang was smuggling it to the overseas black-market.

Crinoidea is a small class of higher invertebrate animals who fed on marine microorganisms. It includes the "sea lily," which resembles the lily flower. The new fossil contains much information about ancient ecology and organisms around during its lifetime and is thus of great scientific value.

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