Fossil brittle star (Urasterella pulchella) - ROM2004_982_20

Brittle star fossil, Urasterella pulchella (Billings)
ROM2004_982_20

Fossil brittle star (Urasterella pulchella)

Place Collected
(Object)
:
North America, Canada, Ontario, Simcoe County
Dimensions:
Fossil: 6 L x 6 W cm
Object number: ROMIP53368
Not on view
DescriptionThe name echinoderms means the “spiny skinned” invertebrates. They range from stalked and feathery-crowned crinoids (sea lilies), to the bizarre cystoids and “seated stars” (edrioasteroids), to the familiar-looking sea stars. Most echinoderms show a unique five-rayed body pattern. Of these fossil groups, only the sea stars and crinoids have descendents living in modern seas. Sea stars have numerous small calcite plates imbedded in their soft bodies. When the animal dies and its soft tissue rots, the individual plates are usually scattered. Only rarely is a sea star preserved intact.
If you see an error or have additional information, please contact us by clicking here.