Thursday, March 18, 2010

Rhyncholampas Sea Urchin Fossil

This sea urchin fossil (enchinoid) is called Rhyncholampas gouldii. It is found in the Tamiami Formation of Suwannee County, Florida. The creature existed 2.5-5 million years ago (Pliocene Epoch/Neogene Period/Cenozoic Age).  The fossil was in a white, chalky matrix.

Classification:
  • Phylum: Echinodermata
  • Class: Echinoidea
  • Order: Cassiduloida
  • Family: Cassidulidae
  • Genus: Rhyncholampus
  • Species: gouldii

Thanks to Mary Ann for the fossils and my cousin Kenny for cleaning them up using sand/air abrasive cleaning. Unfortunately, I did not take any before pictures but they looked like Mexican wedding cookies (a little mound covered powdered sugar).