International Geological Journal - Official Journal of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association

GEINITZASTER GEN. N. (ASTEROIDEA, ECHINODERMATA) FROM UPPER CENOMANIAN STRATA OF THE BOHEMIAN CRETACEOUS BASIN

Published: Aug 2005

Pages: 317 - 326

Authors: JIRI ZITT

Abstract: A new genus, Geinitzaster, is erected for Oreaster decoratus Geinitz, 1871, originally described from the Upper Cenomanian of Saxony, Germany, and recently found also in the Upper Cenomanian of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. This enigmatic asteroid species lived in nearshore environments and is now known from only four localities in Bohemia: Predboj, Kuchynka near Brazdim, Radim and Velim-Veronika. The morphology of the dissociated ossicles is studied in detail and the function and position of individual ossicle types in the asteroid skeleton are discussed.

Keywords: Cenomanian, Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, morphology, Echinodermata, Asteroidea, new genus

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