Preservation of tube feet in an ophiuroid (Echinodermata) from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate of Germany and a redescription ofBundenbachia beneckei andPalaeophiomyxa grandis

Abstract

The preservation of non-mineralized tissues in the fossil record is extremely rare. The Lower Devonian Hunsruck Slate of Germany has long been known for the preservation of non-mineralized tissues in pyrite but whether or not these remnants represent true soft tissues has been questioned. This is especially true for struetures visible only on radiographs that are too delicate for excavation by traditional methods. Here we report the discovery of well-preserved pyritized tube feet in six fully prepared specimens of the protasterid brittle starBundenbachia beneckei from the Hunsruck Slate. This discovery represents the first report of fossilized ophiuroid tube feet in the fossil record. The successful excavation of the delicate tube feet was made possible by improved airbrasive techniques developed by German fossil collectors.