Teichaster stokesii
Teichaster stokesii
Summary
Teichaster stokesii was a goniasterid sea star with a comparatively rigid, plated body. Goniasterids are benthic animals that move slowly over the sea floor and feed on small invertebrates, carrion or encrusting organisms; a comparable predatory-scavenging role is reasonable for the Eocene species.
The skeleton comprised robust marginal and body ossicles. As soft tissues decayed these plates separated, so isolated marginals are much more likely to be collected than an intact star. Their shape and sculpture preserve information about the original broad, armoured body outline.
Quick Identification
Look for: robust, often broad marginal plates from a rigid starfish, with clearly differentiated outer and articular faces; several associated plates are much safer for identification than one worn ossicle.
Diagnostic Features
- Marginal ossicles are stout and goniasterid-like, forming a reinforced body edge.
- Plate proportions are broader and more rigid-looking than typical astropectinid marginals.
- Outer faces preserve granulation, pits or spine bases when unworn.
- Articular faces are sharply differentiated from the exposed surface.
- Species-level determination requires diagnostic marginal morphology; rounded fragments should remain Asteroidea indet.
Fossil Details
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
London Clay Formation
References
- Forbes, E. (1852). Monograph of the Echinodermata of the British Tertiaries. Palaeontographical Society Monograph View reference