Micraster coranguinum (Leske, 1778)

Remarks

• Collection:     cf.com

• Formation:    Upper Chalk

• Location:       Wiltshire, England

• Dimensions:   lt = 35 mm, wdt = 37 mm (widest part), ht = 27 mm

• M. coranguinum (Leske) is a highly variable echinoid, and we don't see the need to employ Stokes's subspecies names here (we've therefore lumped them together-see synonymy).

• The specimen shown is well within the variation of M. coranguinum, and compares best with the one figured in British Mesozoic Fossils (1993, see ref below).  In extreme varieties, the keel is exaggerated and terminates in a rostrum that overhangs the periproct (thus the subspecies M. rostratus).

General Info

Synonyms (older names and misidentifications in the literature)

• 1975 Micraster coranguinum simpsoni Stokes

• 1977 Micraster coranguinum (Leske); Stokes

• 1977 Micraster coranguinum rostratus (Mantell); Stokes

• 1977 Micraster coranguinum simpsoni Stokes; Stokes

• 1983 Micraster (Micraster) coranguinum s. l.

• 1985 Micraster coranguinum (Leske); Murray

Stratigraphic Occurrence

• Upper Chalk of England (occurs in the famous Cliffs of Dover)

Age

• Micraster coranguinum (Leske) ranges from the Late Coniacian to the Early Santonian Stage (~87–86 mya).

Geographic Occurrence (by no means an all-inclusive list)

• England

Remarks

For identification and descriptions, see:

• HMSO.  1993.  British Mesozoic Fossils.  London:  Natural History Museum, London; plate 69, fig. 1.

• Murray, J. W.  1985.  "Echinoidea".  In:  Murray, J. W., ed.  Atlas of Invertebrate Macrofossils, Chapter 7.  London:  The Palaeontological Association; plate 7.9.21, fig's A–C.