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Ophryaster (Spencer, 1913)

 

Medium to large starfish with very long and slender arms and a relatively broad and flattened central disc.  Arms may be slightly upturned towards the tips.  Ranges through the White Chalk, but articulated material is very scarce.

 

1).  Ophryaster cf. magnusAboral view of a large and well preserved specimen (x0.9, White Chalk, BMNH (British Museum (Natural History) London) Earth Lab display specimen).  Image © 2006 The Natural History Museum, by kind permission.

 

2).  Ophryaster cf. magnus; Detail of the aboral surface of the central disc of the above specimen (x2.0, White Chalk, BMNH (British Museum (Natural History) London) Earth Lab display specimen.  Image © 2006 The Natural History Museum, by kind permission.

     

3). Ophryaster oligoplax; Aboral of very well articulated partial individual, showing several areas of apparent regeneration (x1.7, Haven Brow Beds (close to Exceat Flint Band), uppermost Seaford Chalk, Thanet coast, Kent, in the collection of Keith Little).  Image © 2012 Keith Little, by kind permission.

   

4). Ophryaster oligoplax; Detail of the above specimen showing a remarkable apparent re-generating arm tip (x3.4, Haven Brow Beds (close to Exceat Flint Band), uppermost Seaford Chalk, Thanet coast, Kent, in the collection of Keith Little).  Image © 2012 Keith Little, by kind permission.

   

5).  Ophryaster sp.; Aboral view of the remains of a very well preserved specimen (x2.2, White Chalk, CANCM 2001.356 (Canterbury Museum).  Image © 2012 Canterbury City Council Museum Service, by kind permission.

    

6). Ophryaster oligoplax; Oral view of a somewhat distorted semi-complete specimen (x2, Seaford Chalk, Thanet coast, Kent, in the collection of Keith Little).  Image © 2012 Keith Little, by kind permission.

7). Ophryaster oligoplax; Oral view of a partial specimen.  The incomplete arm lower left is potentially part of a second individual (x1.3, Seaford Chalk, Thanet coast, Kent, in the collection of Keith Little).  Image © 2012 Keith Little, by kind permission.

8). Ophryaster oligoplax; side view of the above partial specimen (x2.0, Seaford Chalk, Thanet coast, Kent, in the collection of Keith Little).  Image © 2011 Keith Little, by kind permission.