BALANOCRINUS-MARITIMUS NOV. SP., A NEW ST ALKED CRINOID FROM THE LOWER KIMMERIDGIAN NEAR LA-ROCHELLE (CHARENTE-MARITIME, FRANCE)

A new pentacrinid crinoid, Balanocrinus maritimus nov, sp., is describ ed from several well preserved specimens discovered in Lower Kimmeridg ian beds (Rupellense biozone), north of La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime , France). Its position in the subfamily Balanocrininae and the genus Balanocrinus is discussed, with a reference to taphonomy and palaeoeco logy. The crinoids were rapidly killed and buried by pulses of muddy s ediments, at a depth that may have reached several hundred metres.