With the exception of holothurians, all Late Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastric
htian) and Early Palaeogene (Danian) echinoderms from the extended type are
a of the Maastrichtian Stage are currently being revised. In addition to a
handful of taxa described previously in the literature, many new genera and
species of brittle star and basket star (Ophiuroidea) have been recognised
in recent years. In fact, the study area is one of the very few regions in
the world that have yielded diverse ophiuroid faunas of latest Cretaceous
age. Of note also is the fact that many of the new taxa are based on more o
r less complete specimens, i.e., discs preserving (portions of) arms, makin
g generic assignment much more reliable. The various ophiuroid groups recog
nised are briefly discussed and selected specimens are illustrated in order
to document the diversity. Formal descriptions will be published elsewhere
. Ophiuroid taxa described by Berry (1938), as based on poorly preserved ma
terial from the Late Maastrichtian of the area, are briefly commented upon.