Lumbricaria with Crinoid Inclusions

Can you find the heart in this anal art? This is another example of a coprolite prepped with an air abrader. Air abraders are like little sand blasters. While specimens may appear more attractive from a distance, microscopic incusions are often destroyed.  Luckily a few inclusions can still be seen in this specimen.

The last photo is an example of a fossilized floating crinoid (Saccocoma sp.). Comparing fossilized remains of animals that were not eaten can help us identify bits of them that survived the digestive process. The Functional anatomy and mode of life of the latest Jurassic crinoid Saccocoma by Michał Brodacki (2006) is also a great source for inclusion identification. The paper contains detailed images of individual body parts.