Collector's Guide to Fort Payne Crinoids and Blastoids is the first comprehensive guide for identifying the fossils of echinoderms from hundreds of millions of years ago, when North America was covered by a warm, equatorial sea.

Crinoids and blastoids, echinoderms (the same family of marine animals to include starfish, sea urchins, and sand dollars) from the Fort Payne Formation in Kentucky, are rarely seen at gem, mineral, and fossil shows, nor are they regularly displayed at major museums. By combining high-quality color photographs and an accompanying descriptive text, William W. Morgan provides the first comprehensive identification guide to these fascinating fossils.

Collector's Guide to Fort Payne Crinoids and Blastoids features photographs, often offering more than one view, of the best-quality specimens curated in the Smithsonian and other prominent invertebrate fossil museums. Morgan includes photographs that are unlabeled so that readers can test themselves to see whether they can differentiate some of the more subtle features that may be necessary for accurate identification.

About the Author

William W. Morgan is a professor emeritus in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy at UT Health San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of Collector's Guide to Crawfordsville Crinoids and Collector's Guide to Texas Cretaceous Echinoids.

Reviews

"The Fort Payne Formation (Mississippian) in south-central Kentucky is a fascinating complex of in situ and transported facies with crinoids and blastoids the dominant fossils. A Collector's Guide to Fort Payne Crinoids and Blastoids presents a basic outline of the sedimentary facies and paleogeographic setting of the Fort Payne Formation, but its primary focus is on the crinoid and blastoid fossils, which are key to understanding these rocks. These fossils are excellently illustrated and thoroughly discussed. Of particular value are the paired color photos of each species, one with clear labels and arrows indicating key features alongside a duplicate image with no overlying text. Such aids are rarely provided in detailed descriptions but will be very helpful for anyone hoping to master the complexity of fossil crinoids and blastoids. This volume is a welcome introduction to Fort Payne crinoids and blastoids for both avocational and academic paleontologists."-William I. Ausich, Ohio State University, and David L. Meyer, University of Cincinnati.

"With beautiful images, clear descriptions, and impressive attention to detail, this remarkable book presents a comprehensive summary of fossil crinoids and blastoids from the spectacular Fort Payne Formation. Thoughtful summaries of the anatomy and evolution of fossil crinoids and blastoids enhance the volume, making it an approachable introduction to these complex and fascinating fossils. This book will unquestionably be a popular and invaluable resource for professionals, students, and avocational paleontologists for years to come."-Dr. Selina Cole, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History

"Its in-depth exploration of geology, and anatomy, and its comprehensive coverage of crinoids and blastoids make Collector's Guide to Fort Payne Crinoids and Blastoids an invaluable resource for enthusiasts seeking both insights into avocational fossil hunting as well as academic depth in crinoid paleontology."-

Book Information
ISBN 9780253058232
Author William W. Morgan
Format Hardback
Page Count 182
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press
Weight(grams) 680g