Sinosura kelheimense brittlestar fossil on matrix

A fossilised brittlestar known as Sinosura kelheimense, on its original stone matrix.

Brittlestars are closely related to starfish, and are somewhat rare in the fossil record; this is likely due to their ability to discard arms as a defence mechanism. After death it is likely most of them 'disarticulate' and therefore complete fossils may be uncommon.

Our current stock includes specimens from the Solnhofen Limestone deposits of Heinheim, Germany. These specimens date to the Jurassic, between 145 and 151 million years ago. Please note, the sizes listed refer to the size of the matrix piece itself, not the brittlestar. They are typically 15-20MM across.

• #1 - 53x40x15MM - one mostly complete and one partial brittlestar, overlapping each other. I believe the legs of another are visible too.
• #2 - 63x37x15.7MM - a single complete brittlestar on matrix, from
• #3 - 75x42x9.4MM - two partial but very distinct brittlestars on matrix. One is complete barring the tips of its legs.