Starry sponge, Astraeospongium, Devonian from Eifel

[TqB]

A lovely little extra in a collection of Devonian corals that I've recently bought.

 

Heteractinid sponge, Astraeospongium or very similar, from the Givetian (Ahbach Formation, Zerberus Member) of Eifel, Germany.

 

The spicules are up to about 2.5mm across.

 

 

 

 

[Jeffrey P]

That star spangled sponge does look really cool. Congratulations on your acquisition and thanks for sharing it with us. 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Very beautiful. 

A lovely bonus to be sure. 

[oldtimer]

Very cool looking specimen for sure.

They are sure packed together. Thanks for sharing.

[Fossildude19]

Mmmmm, ... sponge spicules....  

[doushantuo]

Awesome,Tarq.

[piranha]

Very nice!  From my collection, here is another one from the Middle Devonian of Üxheim, Germany:

 

 

[Kane]

@TqB and @piranha

 

These are quite "sp(ect[a])icular" examples! (I could not resist, botched as it was  ). Thank you both for the eye-full!

[TqB]

Thanks, everyone!

 

@piranha I knew you'd posted a nice one a while back, that's a beauty!

[JohnBrewer]

Nice acquisition Tarquin!

[doushantuo]

edit:i'll let this one stand,but patina*/meniscum taxonomy is not entirely resolved,I suspect.

(some later pieces by FR do seem to indicate that )

*for those who wonder about such things: notice the "-spongia " of earlier nomenclature

 

 

[Ludwigia]

Great acquisition, Tarquin! Congrats!

[TqB]

@JohnBrewer @Ludwigia  Thanks, guys, a lucky auction that nobody else bid for. The corals are nice too.  

[Missourian]

Awesome spicules.

 

Sponges are underrated.....

[TqB]

Thanks, @Missourian, another sponge fan here. I'll put some Carboniferous ones on sometime, not this well preserved though...