Ophiuroidea indet
Phylum Echinodermata, Class Ophiuroidea
Geological Time: Upper Ordovician
Size: Brittlestar fossil is 40 mm armspan (maximum) on a 65 mm by 60 mm matrix
Fossil Site: El Kaid Errami Valley, Tafilalt, Morocco
Code: 18134
Price: $85.00
 Description:
The Fezouata and Tafilalt biotas provide an exceptional representation
of exquisitely-preserved Ordovician life from Morocco. Both show parallels
to the older
Burgess Shale fauna of the Cambrian of Canada. This is a fine example
of a member of the Ophiuroidea, or Brittlestars. The Brittlestars
and True Sea Stars shared a common ancestor in the Ordovician. Intact
starfish specimens are quite uncommon in the fossil record. This one
probably died in an environment in which the water had a gentle current
as all the arms are oriented in what must have been the downstream
direction. |
