Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Eupatagus echinoid from Spain

This is an Eupatagus aragonensis echinoid that I received in a trade. It's from the Eocene (Lutetian stage) and was found near Alicante Huesca, Spain.

Adapical surface (top)

Posterior (rear)

Side profile

Anterior (front)

Adoral surface (underside or bottom)

This is an interesting fossil in that it has features from several different types of echinoids that I have seen. It's an irregular urchin since it is not round shaped and it's fairly flat like a sand dollar. Also, the test (skeleton) has both large and small tubercles which is where the spines would attach.

Thanks to my friend Jenaro for this fossil.

2 comments:

  1. Hi!
    I must clarify that, although E. aragonensis (formerly known as Maretia aragonensis) is also known at the Alicante province, here is a real uncommon specie (as I know, just 1 or maybe 2 specimens have been found). Instead, at the other extreme of Spain, the northern province of Huesca, this is a real common specie. And I bet that this specimen comes from there... !

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  2. Thank you for the comment and information. I only included information that came on the label with the fossil. Since you are more familiar with the occurrence of the genus I will defer to your judgement. Thanks for the help!

    -Dave

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