Bundenbach Ophiurina lymani (4x)
3.5 cm (fossil), 14×22 cm (matrix)
Bundenbach; Obereschenbach pit
Delicate multi-plate, unbroken, with 4 excellently preserved snake stars. Very rarely offered.
Ophiurina lymani – The brittle star with brittle tail
Filigree geometry from the Hunsrück slate.
In the world of Bundenbach fossils, it is often the supposedly small finds that exert the greatest fascination on closer inspection. This species is one such case. Although it is as common as the well-known furcaster, it has often been overlooked in the past due to its often tiny size. But for connoisseurs, it is an indispensable part of a complete documentation of the Lower Devon.
Why the Ophiurina rightly bears its name:
The name Ophiurina is derived from the Greek and means “the one with the snake tail”. This name says it all: the arms taper extremely elegantly towards the tips, giving the fossil a dynamism reminiscent of the snakes that give it its name.
The anatomical highlights:
- Geometric precision: The most distinctive feature of the Ophiurina is its round disc. It is covered by a finely grained skin and is bordered by a characteristic row of 15 elongated edge plates. This symmetrical boundary gives the fossil an almost artificial-looking, precise structure.
- Classic oral skeleton: As with the larger relatives, the center is formed by the typically enlarged first ambulacra and the mouth corner pieces – proof of the evolutionary stability of this group.
- Aesthetics in miniature: Due to their compact dimensions, several specimens can often be found on one slab, which offers a wonderful insight into the former life on the seabed.
A must for every Bundenbach fossil collection
Proof that size isn’t everything. Its finely textured disc and whip-like arms make it a highly elegant collector’s item that reveals its true splendor, especially under a magnifying glass or binoculars.
