24MM Brittle Star Petraster Starfish Fossil Ordovician Age Blekus Morocco COA
Location: Kataoua Formation, Blekus, Morocco
Weight: 5.1 Ounces
Starfish Dimensions: 24MM
Dimension: 5.1 Inches Long, 2.4 Inches Wide, 0.9 Inches Thick (Plate)
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Brittlestar Petraster
This intriguing limestone slab was extracted from Middle-Upper Ordovician (about 450 million years old) rocks in the Anti-Atlas part of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. This slab was once part of an ancient seafloor that was uplifted and incorporated into mountains about 80 million years ago, long after the seafloor turned into thick layers of rock.
The fossils preserved in this slab include early echinoderms (spiny-skinned marine invertebrate animals) known as echinoids and ophiuroids (brittle stars). The brittle stars are recognizable, with their five prehensile arms and the compact central body. They look very similar to living species of brittle stars, most of which live in reefs, and shallows near shore and deeper water environments, and feed on small organisms suspended in the water.
Eocrinoids stand out due to their elongated, slender, and tapering stems crowned with clusters of arm-like appendages. These specimens likely belong to the genus Ascocystites, a group of suspension feeders that extracted nourishment from the surrounding water by filtering microorganisms through their specialized appendages. Despite their name, eocrinoids bear no direct relation to crinoids (sea lilies) and exhibit several distinct morphological differences from both ancient and contemporary crinoids. Similar to many fossil crinoids, their extended stems facilitated secure attachment to hard surfaces and enabled them to elevate themselves above the seafloor. The assemblage includes both larger specimens and noticeably smaller ones, the latter possibly juveniles or a separate species. Notably, the smaller individuals frequently appear in proximity to brittle stars, inviting speculation about potential predatory or symbiotic interactions between these creatures.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Being buried under the ground for millions of years under tons of pressure tends to be rough. No fossil comes out of the ground whole and perfect. Most fossils have undergone some restoration, while others are altered by man simply to enhance their presentation in different ways. The workers in Morocco do a very professional job of unearthing and preserving these natural treasures. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.
