Ophiuroidea indet
Phylum Echinodermata, Class Ophiuroidea
Geological Time: Upper Ordovician
Size: Fossil is 32 mm long (maximum) on a 65 mm by 35 mm matrix
Fossil Site: El Kaid Errami Valley, Tafilalt, Morocco
Code: 17217
Price: Sold
 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 negative example of a member of the  Ophiuroidea,
or Brittlestars. Notice that even the pitting for the “hydraulic
system” by which the Brittlestars moved is in evidence. 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 did 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. |
