Description
A beautifully preserved fossil chalk echinoid of the species Conulus albogalerus, dating from the Santonian stage of the Late Cretaceous, found at Dumpton Gap, Kent, England, UK. This specimen is an elegant and scientifically valuable example of a chalk-dwelling sea urchin, collected from one of Britain’s renowned Upper Cretaceous fossil localities.
- Fossil Type: Echinoid (sea urchin)
- Species: Conulus albogalerus
- Size: Please refer to scale photo (1cm cubes)
- Geological Period: Cretaceous
- Stage: Santonian (~86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)
- Locality: Dumpton Gap, Kent, England, UK
- Family: Conulidae
- Superfamily: Cassiduloidea
- Order: Cassiduloida
- Depositional Environment: Warm, shallow marine carbonate shelf dominated by chalk sedimentation during global high sea levels
Geological & Scientific Significance:
Conulus albogalerus is a classic British chalk echinoid and a well-known species throughout the Santonian-aged deposits of southern England. It is characterised by its distinctive conical or domed shape, with a smooth test (shell) and apical pore structure positioned toward the upper surface.
The chalk deposits at Dumpton Gap represent an ancient marine seabed, formed under low-energy conditions where microscopic coccolithophores accumulated to form the pure white chalk matrix. Echinoids like Conulus thrived in this soft substrate, often partially buried while feeding on organic particles.
This species is of stratigraphic and palaeoecological interest and is often used as an indicator of Santonian biofacies within the British Chalk Group.
Notable Features:
- Clean, symmetrical conical form
- Excellent three-dimensional preservation in chalk matrix
- Representative of the classic British Upper Cretaceous echinoid fauna
- From a well-documented and highly fossiliferous chalk locality
Authenticity Guaranteed: All of our fossils are 100% genuine. This specimen comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its scientific identity and provenance.
Photo Disclosure: The exact specimen in the listing is what you will receive. A scale cube with 1cm squares is included in the image for precise size reference.
This Conulus albogalerus fossil echinoid is a delicate and elegant addition to any fossil collection, perfect for enthusiasts of Cretaceous palaeontology or collectors of British chalk fossils.
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