Marocaster coronatus
Phylum Echinodermata, Class Asteroidea, Order Valvatida, Family Goniasteridae
Geological Time: Early Cretaceous, Barremian Stage
Size: Starfish fossil has 22 mm arm span on a 75 mm by 95 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Taboulouart Formation, Taba, Morocco
Code: 17162
Price: $Sold
 Description:
This plate displays a fine starfish found in the Early Cretaceous
deposits of Taba, Morocco. Intact starfish specimens are quite uncommon
in the fossil record. This specimen is a member of the Asteroidea,
or True Starfish. Most specimens from Morocco are found in older Ordovician
deposits, and are primarily brittlestars  (Ophiuroids)
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 is 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. It
was most likely buried quickly, allowing it to be preserved quite
intact. See my other offerings for a starfish
fossils death assemblage.
Reference: Journal of Paleontology, Vol 85, No 6, 2011, pp 1021-1034. |
