Starfish fossil Eocrinoids relics specimen brittlestar
Name: Starfish fossil.
CONDITION: Very good condition (without stand)
Origin: Kataoua Formation, Blekus Morocco
Size Starfish: 2,4 inch (64 mm) x 2,8 inch (71 mm)
The fossils preserved in this slab include early echinoderms (spiny-skinned marine invertebrate animals) known as eocrinoids and ophiuroids (brittle stars). The brittle stars are clearly 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 more unusual, with long thin taperings stems and clusters of arm-like appendages at the opposite end. These animals are probably the Eocrinoid Ascocystites, a suspension feeder that would have extracted food directly from the water column, filtering out micro-organisms with the help of those appendages.
Ref.: 12511202270