Lumbricaria with Crinoid Inclusions

Poop Loops
Inclusions: 
Crinoid fragments
Composition: 
Location: 
Malm Zeta 3 Eichstatt, Bavaria
Germany
DE

An air abrader was used to expose this coprolite. While this preparation method provides clean sharp lines, it also destroys much of the detail. For this reason we can't be sure exactly what was eaten. Based on the overall shape, the few inclusions still visible appear to be body parts from a floating crinoid. 

The last photo is an example of a fossilized floating crinoid (Saccocoma sp.). Examining the fossil remains of animals that haven't been eaten can help us recognize the bits of them that survive the digestion process. Another great source for identification of Saccocoma inclusions is Functional anatomy and mode of life of the latest Jurassic crinoid Saccocoma by Michał Brodacki (2006). The paper contains detailed images of individual body parts.