Graptolites
Araneograptus murrayi
SKU: FOSS_ARGRAPT
£2.00 ex. VAT
In stock (271 available)
Araneograptus murrayi fossil graptolite specimens which exhibit dendritic morphology. The samples are preserved within Fezouata shale deposits of lower Ordovician which is within the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco and show the fan like structure this species had during life. A colonial animal, graptolites likely floated trough the ocean and filter fed, much similar to corals. The abundance of iron in the rock gives the shale and fossils a pale orange colouration. Graptolites themselves are important for geological dating as specific species can be used as zoning fossils to determine the age of strata, as such, these samples are not only suitable for enthusiasts but also educational use. They come supplied in a card tray with an information label.
Weight: 0.220kg
Description
Araneograptus murrayi was a species of graptolite which lived during the lower Ordovician period, the specimens are preserved within the now famous Fezouata shale deposits which are within the Drâa-Tafilalet region of Morocco. Graptolites them selves were colonial organisms with numerous members of the same species living together similar to species of corals. This particular species exhibits dendritic morphology meaning that they had numerous appendages which fanned out, likely in order to syphon more food from their environment. As such, the fossil specimens, though not complete, show the 'netted' appearance that these animals produced during life which fanned outward as they floated through the ocean. The rock the fossils are preserved in are a shale which according to current research contains 50 specific taxa preserved within it. It is believed that fossiliferous band within this shale due to a storm which occurred at the time, which deposited sediments and buried organisms where they were living (in situ), the abundance of iron within the sediments have resulted in the shale and the fossils to have a pale orange colouration. These samples are approximately 60 mm in size and come supplied in a white card tray with a label.