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Micraster leskei Fossil Echinoid Cretaceous Chalk Sussex England UK with Certificate

Micraster leskei Fossil Echinoid Cretaceous Chalk Sussex England UK with Certificate

£15.60

Micraster leskei Fossil Echinoid from Sussex, UK

This is a genuine Micraster leskei fossil echinoid from the Cretaceous chalk beds of Sussex, England. Known for its distinctive heart-shaped form, Micraster leskei is one of the most scientifically significant and visually appealing echinoids of the Late Cretaceous. The specimen pictured is the exact fossil you will receive, photographed with a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing. As with all our fossils, it is 100% authentic and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context and Age

This fossil originates from the Upper Cretaceous period, approximately 90–80 million years ago, when much of present-day southern England was submerged beneath a warm, shallow sea. Over millions of years, the accumulation of microscopic coccolithophore remains formed thick chalk deposits that entombed a wide variety of marine organisms, including echinoids, ammonites, and bivalves.

The chalk exposures of Sussex, especially along the South Downs and coastal cliffs, are globally recognised as rich paleontological sites. These deposits preserve remarkable detail of marine life and serve as a geological record of Late Cretaceous ecosystems.

Species and Classification

  • Genus: Micraster
  • Species: leskei
  • Class: Echinoidea
  • Order: Spatangoida
  • Family: Micrasteridae

As a member of the order Spatangoida, Micraster leskei belongs to a group of irregular echinoids that adapted to burrowing lifestyles. The genus Micraster is one of the most important and diverse echinoid genera of the Cretaceous chalk seas, with M. leskei being a characteristic species for stratigraphic correlation.

Morphological Features

The Micraster leskei fossil echinoid displays a set of distinctive features that make it easily recognisable:

  • Test Shape: Heart-shaped profile with a slightly domed dorsal surface and flattened underside.
  • Ambulacra: Petaloid grooves radiating from the apex, used for respiration through tube feet.
  • Mouth (Peristome): Located toward the anterior, adapted for feeding within soft chalk sediments.
  • Anus (Periproct): Positioned near the posterior margin, characteristic of irregular echinoids.
  • Adaptations: Suited for a semi-infaunal lifestyle, living partially buried in chalk and feeding on detritus.

These physical traits illustrate how Micraster leskei thrived in chalk environments, making it one of the most successful echinoids of its time.

Stratigraphic and Scientific Importance

Micraster leskei is widely used as a biostratigraphic index fossil, meaning its presence in chalk beds allows geologists to date and correlate different layers of Cretaceous rock. Its evolutionary changes over time also provide valuable insights into both echinoid biology and paleoenvironmental conditions.

For paleontologists, M. leskei is crucial in studies of adaptive evolution, showing how burrowing echinoids developed new feeding and respiratory strategies to exploit soft seabed environments.

Collector and Display Appeal

  • Collectors appreciate Micraster leskei for its rarity compared to more common chalk echinoids.
  • Educational institutions value it as a teaching specimen for demonstrating Cretaceous marine life and geological dating.
  • Display collectors enjoy its distinctive heart-shaped form, which makes it both scientifically important and aesthetically striking.

Authenticity and Guarantee

This fossil is guaranteed 100% authentic, carefully chosen for quality and preservation. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, verifying both its identity and provenance from the chalk beds of Sussex, UK.

Key Information at a Glance

  • Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)
  • Species: Micraster leskei
  • Geological Age: Upper Cretaceous (~90–80 million years old)
  • Formation: Chalk
  • Locality: Sussex, United Kingdom
  • Order: Spatangoida
  • Family: Micrasteridae
  • Condition: Well-preserved echinoid with diagnostic heart-shaped form
  • Authenticity: Guaranteed with Certificate of Authenticity

This Micraster leskei fossil echinoid from the Cretaceous chalk of Sussex is a superb specimen combining scientific significance, collector’s value, and natural beauty, making it a desirable addition to any fossil collection.

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Description

Micraster leskei Fossil Echinoid from Sussex, UK

This is a genuine Micraster leskei fossil echinoid from the Cretaceous chalk beds of Sussex, England. Known for its distinctive heart-shaped form, Micraster leskei is one of the most scientifically significant and visually appealing echinoids of the Late Cretaceous. The specimen pictured is the exact fossil you will receive, photographed with a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing. As with all our fossils, it is 100% authentic and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context and Age

This fossil originates from the Upper Cretaceous period, approximately 90–80 million years ago, when much of present-day southern England was submerged beneath a warm, shallow sea. Over millions of years, the accumulation of microscopic coccolithophore remains formed thick chalk deposits that entombed a wide variety of marine organisms, including echinoids, ammonites, and bivalves.

The chalk exposures of Sussex, especially along the South Downs and coastal cliffs, are globally recognised as rich paleontological sites. These deposits preserve remarkable detail of marine life and serve as a geological record of Late Cretaceous ecosystems.

Species and Classification

  • Genus: Micraster
  • Species: leskei
  • Class: Echinoidea
  • Order: Spatangoida
  • Family: Micrasteridae

As a member of the order Spatangoida, Micraster leskei belongs to a group of irregular echinoids that adapted to burrowing lifestyles. The genus Micraster is one of the most important and diverse echinoid genera of the Cretaceous chalk seas, with M. leskei being a characteristic species for stratigraphic correlation.

Morphological Features

The Micraster leskei fossil echinoid displays a set of distinctive features that make it easily recognisable:

  • Test Shape: Heart-shaped profile with a slightly domed dorsal surface and flattened underside.
  • Ambulacra: Petaloid grooves radiating from the apex, used for respiration through tube feet.
  • Mouth (Peristome): Located toward the anterior, adapted for feeding within soft chalk sediments.
  • Anus (Periproct): Positioned near the posterior margin, characteristic of irregular echinoids.
  • Adaptations: Suited for a semi-infaunal lifestyle, living partially buried in chalk and feeding on detritus.

These physical traits illustrate how Micraster leskei thrived in chalk environments, making it one of the most successful echinoids of its time.

Stratigraphic and Scientific Importance

Micraster leskei is widely used as a biostratigraphic index fossil, meaning its presence in chalk beds allows geologists to date and correlate different layers of Cretaceous rock. Its evolutionary changes over time also provide valuable insights into both echinoid biology and paleoenvironmental conditions.

For paleontologists, M. leskei is crucial in studies of adaptive evolution, showing how burrowing echinoids developed new feeding and respiratory strategies to exploit soft seabed environments.

Collector and Display Appeal

  • Collectors appreciate Micraster leskei for its rarity compared to more common chalk echinoids.
  • Educational institutions value it as a teaching specimen for demonstrating Cretaceous marine life and geological dating.
  • Display collectors enjoy its distinctive heart-shaped form, which makes it both scientifically important and aesthetically striking.

Authenticity and Guarantee

This fossil is guaranteed 100% authentic, carefully chosen for quality and preservation. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, verifying both its identity and provenance from the chalk beds of Sussex, UK.

Key Information at a Glance

  • Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)
  • Species: Micraster leskei
  • Geological Age: Upper Cretaceous (~90–80 million years old)
  • Formation: Chalk
  • Locality: Sussex, United Kingdom
  • Order: Spatangoida
  • Family: Micrasteridae
  • Condition: Well-preserved echinoid with diagnostic heart-shaped form
  • Authenticity: Guaranteed with Certificate of Authenticity

This Micraster leskei fossil echinoid from the Cretaceous chalk of Sussex is a superb specimen combining scientific significance, collector’s value, and natural beauty, making it a desirable addition to any fossil collection.

Additional information

Era

Cretaceous
Origin

United Kingdom

Cretaceous Information

The Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago) was the final era of the Mesozoic, marked by the dominance of dinosaurs and the rise of flowering plants. It had a warm, greenhouse climate, with high sea levels that created vast shallow inland seas. Marine life flourished, including mosasaurs, ammonites, and rudist reefs, while the land was ruled by iconic dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Spinosaurus. Mammals and birds diversified, and insects thrived. The period ended with the mass extinction event, likely caused by an asteroid impact, wiping out the dinosaurs and paving the way for the rise of mammals in the Cenozoic.

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