Description
This listing offers a genuine Eupatagus antillarum fossil echinoid, collected from Levy County, Florida, USA, and dating to the Eocene epoch, approximately 40–34 million years ago. This specimen is an excellent example of the “heart urchins” that thrived in subtropical marine environments during the Paleogene period.
The photographs provided display the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing. Every fossil we supply is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring complete confidence in its provenance and quality.
Geological Context: Eocene of Levy County
During the Eocene epoch, Florida was covered by shallow, warm seas that formed part of the Gulf Coastal Plain. These tropical marine environments were rich in biodiversity, supporting molluscs, corals, echinoids, and other marine invertebrates. The limestone and marl deposits from this period capture an invaluable record of life during a time when modern marine ecosystems were beginning to take shape after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Levy County is particularly noted for yielding well-preserved Eocene marine fossils, including echinoids such as Eupatagus antillarum, which provide insight into the paleoenvironments of subtropical seas.
The Species: Eupatagus antillarum
Eupatagus antillarum is a species of extinct echinoid belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, class Echinoidea, order Spatangoida, and family Loveniidae. It is an irregular echinoid, commonly called a heart urchin, recognised for its distinctive shape and adaptations to a burrowing lifestyle.
Key morphological features include:
- A heart-shaped, elongate test (shell) with bilateral symmetry.
- Petaloid ambulacra arranged on the upper surface, used for respiration and water circulation.
- Paired pore structures for tube feet, aiding in gas exchange.
- A flattened underside designed for burrowing into soft marine sediments.
This echinoid lived infaunally, just beneath the seafloor, where it fed on organic particles within the sediment, acting as an important detritivore in its ecosystem.
Scientific and Morphological Details
- Phylum: Echinodermata
- Class: Echinoidea
- Order: Spatangoida
- Family: Loveniidae
- Genus: Eupatagus
- Species: Eupatagus antillarum
- Geological Age: Eocene (c. 40–34 Ma)
- Locality: Levy County, Florida, USA
- Lifestyle: Infaunal burrower, sediment feeder
- Paleoenvironment: Shallow marine carbonate platform
This fossil is not only scientifically significant but also serves as a reference specimen for paleontologists studying Eocene echinoids and the evolution of marine ecosystems in subtropical seas.
Collector and Display Value
A Eupatagus antillarum fossil echinoid is a prized specimen for collectors of marine fossils, particularly those specialising in echinoderms and Cenozoic invertebrates. Its distinctive test shape and fine preservation make it highly attractive both scientifically and aesthetically.
As a fossil from the Eocene seas of Florida, this piece represents a unique connection to Earth’s deep past and the dynamic marine ecosystems of 40 million years ago. Delivered with a Certificate of Authenticity, it is ideal for private collections, natural history displays, or educational use, offering both visual appeal and scientific value.
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