3.8" Brittlestar Ophiura Sp Starfish Fossil Ordovician Age Morocco COA & Stand

Location: Kataoua Formation, Blekus, Morocco

Weight: 5.9 Ounces 

Dimension: 4.1 Inches Long, 3.4 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches Thick (Plate)

Starfish Dimensions: 3.8 Inches Long, 2.7 Inches Wide 

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. 

Comes with a Free Stand.

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Brittlestar Ophiura Sp

This fascinating limestone slab originates from Middle-Upper Ordovician rocks, about 450 million years old, found in the Anti-Atlas region of the Moroccan Atlas Mountains. Once part of an ancient seafloor, it was uplifted and incorporated into mountains roughly 80 million years ago, well after the seafloor transformed into thick rock layers.

The slab features fossils of early echinoderms, including echinoids and ophiuroids (brittle stars). The brittle stars are identifiable by their five prehensile arms and compact central body, closely resembling modern species that inhabit reefs, shallow waters, and deeper environments, feeding on small suspended organisms.

Eocrinoids are more unusual fossils, showing long, slender, tapering stems and clusters of arm-like structures at the opposite end. They are likely Ascocystites, a suspension feeder that filtered microorganisms from the water using these appendages.

Despite their name, eocrinoids are not related to crinoids (sea lilies) and differ in several features. Nonetheless, like many fossil crinoids, their elongated stems enabled attachment to hard surfaces and possibly raised them off the seafloor.

There appear to be several larger individuals along with several much smaller ones. Those smaller animals may be juveniles of the larger form or a different species. Do you notice how the smaller individuals often seem to be in close contact with the brittle stars? We are often led to wonder whether the brittle stars were feeding on the smaller echinoids.

Please be aware of the nature of fossils:

Being buried for millions of years under tons of pressure is rough. No fossil emerges perfect; most need restoration or are altered by humans to improve appearance. Moroccan workers professionally unearth and preserve these natural treasures, which are part of their beauty, not defects.