3.2" Brittle Star Ophiura Sp Starfish Fossil Ordovician Age Morocco COA & Stand
Location: Kataoua Formation, Blekus, Morocco
Weight: 8 Ounces
Dimension: 4.4 Inches Long, 3.3 Inches Wide, 0.7 Inches Thick (Plate)
Starfish Dimensions: 3.2 Inches Long, 2.5 Inches Wide
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Brittlestar Ophiura Sp
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 are distinctive creatures characterized by their long, slender, tapering stems and clusters of arm-like extensions at the opposite end. These specimens are likely from the genus Ascocystites, a type of suspension feeder that captured food by filtering microorganisms from the surrounding water using their appendages. Although their name suggests a connection, eocrinoids are not related to crinoids (sea lilies) and exhibit several anatomical differences compared to both ancient and modern crinoids. Similar to many fossil crinoids, their elongated stems helped them anchor to hard surfaces and elevate themselves above the seafloor. Among the fossils, there are several larger individuals accompanied by much smaller ones, which may represent juvenile forms or separate species. Notably, the smaller individuals are often found close to brittle stars, prompting speculation about whether the brittle stars were preying on these smaller echinoids.
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.
