Gondwanan cyrtocrinids uncover hidden diversity and crinoid dispersal pathways
Journal: Scientific Reports
Year: 2026

The post-Palaeozoic crinoid order Cyrtocrinida exhibits remarkable morphological diversity and ecological versatility, yet its fossil record from southern continents remains fragmentary and poorly understood. In this study, we document new cyrtocrinid material from the Jurassic of Algeria, representing three taxa, including the first unequivocal cyrtocrinid occurrence from the Southern Hemisphere segment of the Gondwanan margin. These specimens substantially expand both the geographic and strati