? Stauranderasteridae

(Fig. 8G)

2011 possible stauranderasterid oral ossicle Gale: pl. 16, figs 10, 11.

Material. Two oral ossicles (NHMUK EE 13584, MnhnL OPH 173) from the Carnian (Late Triassic) St. Cassian Formation, Cortina d’ Ampezzo, Italy.

Description. The two well-preserved oral ossicles (Gale 2011, pl. 16, figs 10, 11; herein Fig. 8G) possess convex actinal and distal margins of equal length, set at right angles. The external actinal surface bears a proximal row of fine os attachments, and five larger, irregularly distributed suboral spine (sos) are present. The distal surface for contact with the adamb (orada, oradm) is large and well developed. The apophyse (apo) is short and blunt.

Remarks. These oral ossicles are similar in shape to those of Sphaeraster (e.g. Fig. 8A–E) and the stauranderasterid Manfredaster bulbiferus (Forbes, 1848) (Fig. 8N) in that the tall proximal margin is set at right angles to the actinal margin. The triangular spine-bearing actinal surface is positioned on the lateral part of the ossicle, as in stauranderasterids, to which they are provisionally assigned. If this is the case, the origination of the Stauranderasteridae probably lies in the Middle Triassic.