Bundenbach Urasterella asperula
10 cm (fossil); 18×16.5 cm (matrix)
Bundenbach; Obereschenbach pit
Large, “real” starfish with fine spines, on an unbroken plate.
Urasterella asperula – The classic among the stars from the Hunsrück slate
A “real” starfish that builds a bridge to our time.
When you look at this species, you are immediately overcome by a feeling of familiarity. It is the most frequently encountered “real” starfish (Asteroidea) among the numerous star animals of the Hunsrück Slate. Its appearance is strikingly similar to those species that we can still find on our coasts today – a fascinating example of a successful biological model that has survived for over 400 million years.
Anatomical features of the Urasterella:
- Compact center: The body disc is very small in relation to the arms. At its heart is a striking, six-sided central plate that gives the fossil stability and symmetry.
- A closer look: The oral skeleton consists of flat, triangular pieces. The small, roundish and characteristically fluted madropore plate can be seen in the immediate vicinity – often only with masterful preparation.
- Fascinating arm structure: The narrow arms are beautifully rounded on the upper side (dorsal). Depending on the state of preservation, a sensation is revealed here: the finest, almost hair-like spines that protected the animal from predators in life.
- Unique underside: On the underside (oral) there are two rows of plates that form a wide-open arm furrow. Particularly impressive are the adambulacral plates, which are also covered with long, protective spines.
A vivid picture of the past from Bundenbach
Due to its relative abundance among the star animals and its often excellent preservation, Urasterella asperula offers an incomparably vivid insight into the Devonian ecosystem. It is the ideal specimen for collectors of Hunsrück fossils who want to document the direct relationship between fossil life forms and today’s fauna. The epitome of the starfish and a must for every Bundenbach collection.
