Marocaster coronatus
Phylum Echinodermata, Class Asteroidea, Order Valvatida, Family Goniasteridae
Geological Time: Early Cretaceous, Barremian Stage
Size: Starfish fossils have 40 mm and 45 mm arm spans on a 210 mm by 140 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Taboulouart Formation, Taba, Morocco
Code: 17152
Price: Sold
 Description:
This plate displays a fine starfish death assemblage found in the
Early Cretaceous deposits of Taba, Morocco. Most starfish offered
come from the older Ordovician deposits of Morocco, and are primarily
Ophiuroids, or brittlestars. Intact starfish specimens are quite uncommon
in the fossil record. These specimens  are
members of the Asteroidea, or True Starfish. 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 starfish are quite 3-D in appearance making for a
dramatic display piece. Coming from a location only discovered in
the last six years, it shows features much like those of modern-day
members of the taxon. The horizon in which it was found is thought
to have been a shallow water environment. They were most likely buried
quickly, allowing them to be preserved nearly intact. See my other
offerings for a single
starfish fossil specimen.
Reference: Journal of Paleontology, Vol 85, No 6, 2011, pp 1021-1034. |
