RARE Conulus subrotundus Chalk Fossil Echinoid – Turonian, Cretaceous – Ahaus, Germany | COA

Description

This listing is for a RARE Fossil Chalk Echinoid – Conulus subrotundus, a well-preserved and scientifically significant fossil from the Turonian Stage of the Upper Cretaceous, found in the renowned Ahaus-Enschede region, Westphalia, Germany.

As with all our specimens, this is a 100% genuine fossil and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. The item in the photo is the exact specimen you will receive. Full measurements are shown using a 1cm scale cube and rule in the photos.

Fossil Overview:

• Species: Conulus subrotundus (Lamarck, 1816)
• Common Name: Fossil Sea Urchin / Chalk Echinoid
• Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
• Stage: Turonian (approx. 93.9 – 89.8 million years ago)
• Biozone: Lamarcki Zone (associated with Inoceramus lamarcki)
• Formation: Upper Chalk of Ahaus-Enschede, Westphalia
• Location: Willem near Ahaus, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
• Matrix: Soft white chalk

Geological & Depositional Context:

This fossil originates from a marine chalk deposit laid down during the Turonian Stage of the Late Cretaceous in the epicontinental seas covering present-day northern Germany. The environment was a warm, shallow, open marine setting, rich in calcium carbonate from accumulated coccolithophorid remains. This provided ideal conditions for the preservation of echinoids and other invertebrates. The Lamarcki Zone is a well-known biostratigraphic marker in Europe, defined by the presence of the bivalve Inoceramus lamarcki.

Taxonomy & Classification:

• Phylum: Echinodermata
• Class: Echinoidea
• Order: Echinoneoida
• Superfamily: Conulidea
• Family: Conulidae
• Genus: Conulus
• Species: C. subrotundus (formally described by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, 1816)

Morphological Features:

Conulus subrotundus is noted for:

• Its distinctive sub-rotund, heart-shaped test
• Smooth surface with poorly developed ambulacra
• A high dome-shaped profile with a narrow apical region
• Well-defined oral and aboral structures These traits suggest adaptation to soft, fine-grained carbonate substrates, possibly partially buried to avoid predation. Its smooth surface indicates it may have been a semi-infaunal or epifaunal deposit feeder.

Notable Aspects:

• Rarely offered in such well-preserved condition
• Sourced from the historic and scientifically valuable Ahaus-Enschede chalk quarries
• Important biostratigraphic marker fossil for the Lamarcki Zone
• Excellent for educational use, scientific collections, or display

Why Choose Our Fossils?

• 100% Genuine Specimens — always ethically sourced
• Certificate of Authenticity provided with every purchase
• Carefully selected and individually photographed
• Secure packaging and fast worldwide shipping

Add a fascinating piece of Cretaceous marine life to your fossil collection with this beautiful example of Conulus subrotundus. Perfect for enthusiasts, collectors, educators, or as a unique and meaningful gift.