Asteroids, starfish Baryonyx near the village of Messel

near the village of Messel

sickle-like claws

The Skhul skulls show much variation in the expression of modern traits

Coal Age Botany

the Berlin skeleton is a window on bird evolution

Asteroids, starfish Baryonyx near the village of MesselStarfish (scientifically known as Asteroids and Ophiuroids) first appear in the fossil record in the Lower Ordovician. They are members of the phylum Echinodermata, the largest phylum of strictly marine creatures. Starfish are included in this group along with animals such as sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars. Most living echinoderms have a five fold symmetry called Pentameral. This is not always the case though, and despite the common five