Carpocrinus (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) from the Late Silurian of Somerset Island, Northwest Territories, Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Frest, T. J., Strimple, H. L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Arctic; Northwest Territories; Canada; Somerset Island; Read Bay
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e77-014; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e77-014

Carpocrinus arcticus n. sp. is the first Silurian crinoid to be reported from Arctic Canada (Read Bay Formation, Somerset Island). The species is distinguished from other North American Carpocrinus by its nonlobate calyx, plates with impressed sutures, and granular plate ornamentation. It is a member of a largely European lineage not previously reported from North America. The typical North American lineage was considered a separate genus (Stiptocrinus) by Kirk: it is here considered synonymous with Carpocrinus. Review of the stratigraphic distribution of Carpocrinus occurrences indicates that the lineage including C. arcticus is characteristic of Late Wenlock-Ludlow rocks.