Bundenbach Bundenbachia beneckei
4.0 cm (fossil), 11×12.5 cm (matrix)
Bundenbach; Obereschenbach pit
Delicate specimen, regulated with the current, on an unbroken plate.
Bundenbachia beneckei – The name bearer of world renown
A timeless classic and scientific milestone in Hunsrück paleontology.
There is hardly a fossil that carries the identity of this world-famous site as well as Bundenbachia beneckei. It is the only genus that can proudly bear the name of the Bundenbach fossil deposit in its name (after an interim classification as Taeniaster). Alongside Furcaster, it is one of the classics of the slate, but on closer inspection it holds scientific sensations that have caused a worldwide sensation.
A miracle of preservation: the secret of the ambulacral feet
This genus made history: this fossil was the first in the world to provide evidence of ambulacral feet (suction feet) in fossil brittle stars. What normally decomposes within hours of the animal’s death was preserved here for 400 million years thanks to the unique pyritization in the Hunsrück slate – a paleontological stroke of luck that underlines the importance of soft tissue preservation in Bundenbach.
The anatomical features:
- Net-like disk structure: The body disk is an aesthetic highlight. It consists of oval, scale-like plates that are covered by a characteristic, net-like grained skin.
- Whip-shaped arms: The arms start broadly at the edge of the disk and end in extremely long, whip-shaped ends. This elegant shape gives the fossil a special dynamic on the dark slate matrix.
- Specialized arm structure: Experts pay attention to the alternate ambulacral plates. These are not connected to each other and have a distinctive boot shape – an important distinguishing feature from related genera.
- Rare details: While the madropore plate remains rather inconspicuous in this species, the preservation of the fine spines is an absolute rarity. A specimen with preserved spines is considered particularly valuable by collectors.
Why this brittle star should not be missing from any Bundenbach fossil collection
Bundenbachia beneckei is more than just a fossil; it is an ambassador for the place where it was found. Its scientific history and the elegant shape of its whip-like arms make it an indispensable specimen for both beginners and documentary-oriented collectors.
