Australaster
giganteus
Echinodermata,
Asteroidea, Pustulosida
Geological
Time: Upper Silurian, Middle Ludlovian Stage (~430 Million years ago)
Size: 25
mm diameter
Fossil Site:
Humevale Formation, Clonbinane Sandstone Member, Clonbinane, Victoria,
Australia
|  This
is a well preserved specimen of a member of the Asteroidea, or the
True Sea Stars. The Silurian deposits of the region are famous for
the quality of preservation of invertebrate fossils, with this fine
Echinoderm testimony to the degree of preservation often attained.
The Brittlestars and True Sea Stars shared a common ancestor in
the Ordovician. Intact starfish specimens are quite uncommon in
the fossil record because they often disintegrate quickly. The colors
are entirely natural, and make for a most pleasing display of this
superb fossil.
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