Asteroidea indet
Phylum Echinodermata, Class Asteroidea
Geological Time: Middle Ordovician
Size: Starfish fossil has 66 mm armspan on a 110 mm by 115 mm matrix
Fossil Site: El Kaid Errami, Morocco ( East of Anti-atlas Mountains)
Code: 13172
Price: Sold
 Description:
This plate displays a fine starfish found in the Ordovician deposits
of El Kaid Errami. Intact starfish  specimens
are quite uncommon in the fossil record. This large specimen is a
member of the Astetroidea, or True Starfish. The Asteroidea and Ophiuroidea
shared a common ancestor in the Ordovician, but differ in morphology.
Unlike the brittlestars, true starfish have no demarcation between
the arms and the ventral body, and move by means of tube feet rather
than by the sinuous movements of the arms. The one is quite 3-D in
appearance making for a dramatic display piece. |
