{"title":"Ophuroides  brittle starfish","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrittle stars (class Ophuroidea) first diverged from other echinoderms during the early Ordovician period,roughly 485 to 443 million years ago. This evolutionary milestone coincided with the great Ordovician biodiversification event,a time when global sea levels peaked,tropical water temperatures thrived and marine life expanded dramatically,\u003cbr\u003eDuring the Ordovician period,brittle stars formally split from true starfish (Asteroidea). While true starfish developed wider,hollow arms integrated into their body structure,ancient ophiuroids evolved a highly distinct anatomy.\u003cbr\u003eBrittle starfish skeleton consists of fragile,loosely embedded calcareous plates (ossicles),their bodies typically disintegrate rapidly after death.\u003cbr\u003eSudden underwater storms or dense microbial mats rapidly buried the creatures in anoxic (oxygen-depleted) mud,preventing decomposition and capturing their delicate dancing arm positions in spectacular detail.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ophiroides-brittle-star","title":"Ophiroides Brittle star","description":"\u003cp\u003eOphiroides Brittle star From Mecissi Area Morocco\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize-\u003cbr\u003e16.1cm x 8cm x 2cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight-\u003cbr\u003e482g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive the item in the photo\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Crystal and fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56317067100547,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/2524\/3040\/files\/IMG-2061.heic?v=1756228844"},{"product_id":"ophiroides-brittlestar","title":"Ophiroides brittlestar","description":"\u003cp\u003eOphiroides Brittlestar From Mecissi Area Morocco\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize-\u003cbr\u003e15.1cm x 14.5cm x 1.3cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight-\u003cbr\u003e352g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive the item in the photo\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Crystal and fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56592230777219,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/2524\/3040\/files\/IMG-2438.heic?v=1760036620"},{"product_id":"brittle-starfish-ophuroides","title":"Brittle starfish ophuroides","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrittle starfish ophuroides from mecissi area Morocco age- ordovcian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize-\u003cbr\u003e16.3cm x 11.8cm x 2cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight-\u003cbr\u003e584g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive the item in the photo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrittle stars (Class Ophiuroidea) are the most diverse group of echinoderms, with over 2,000 living species found in every marine environment from the poles to the tropics. Often confused with their relatives, the sea stars, brittle stars are distinct for their long, slender, and whip-like arms that are clearly demarcated from a central disc.\u003cbr\u003eFractures have been filled in to help stabilise the matrix.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Crystal and fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57273010913667,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/2524\/3040\/files\/IMG-4952.heic?v=1769716063"},{"product_id":"brittle-starfish-ophuroides-1","title":"Brittle starfish Ophuroides","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrittle Starfish Ophuroides Natural Fossil Ordovician From Mecissi Area Morocco\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize-\u003cbr\u003e12.8cm x 10.2cm x 1.4cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight-\u003cbr\u003e308g\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive the item in the photo\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrittle stars (class Ophuroidea) first diverged from other echinoderms during the early Ordovician period,roughly 485 to 443 million years ago. This evolutionary milestone coincided with the great Ordovician biodiversification event,a time when global sea levels peaked,tropical water temperatures thrived and marine life expanded dramatically,\u003cbr\u003eDuring the Ordovician period,brittle stars formally split from true starfish (Asteroidea). While true starfish developed wider,hollow arms integrated into their body structure,ancient ophiuroids evolved a highly distinct anatomy.\u003cbr\u003eBrittle starfish skeleton consists of fragile,loosely embedded calcareous plates (ossicles),their bodies typically disintegrate rapidly after death.\u003cbr\u003eSudden underwater storms or dense microbial mats rapidly buried the creatures in anoxic (oxygen-depleted) mud,preventing decomposition and capturing their delicate dancing arm positions in spectacular detail.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Crystal and fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62696580448643,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/2524\/3040\/files\/IMG-1294_08d1dd8b-b3e1-48de-beb4-602352e0f4c9.heic?v=1790267901"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0563\/2524\/3040\/collections\/IMG-1294.heic?v=1790268128","url":"https:\/\/crystalandfossils.co.uk\/collections\/ophuroidea-brittle-starfish.oembed","provider":"Crystal and fossils","version":"1.0","type":"link"}