Asterocidaris Explained

Asterocidaris is a genus of fossils sea urchins in the family Hemicidaridae. These epifaunal grazer-deposit feeders lived in the Middle and Upper Jurassic age (from 171.6 to 161.2 Ma).^[1]

Species

• Asterocidaris besairiei Lambert, 1936 †
• Asterocidaris meandrina (Agassiz 1840) † ^[2]
• Asterocidaris ragoti Lambert, 1936 †

^[3]

Description

These fossil spined echinoid sea urchins can reach a diameter of about, with spicules of about 69x60mm.^[4] They are hemispherical, flattened beneath, with small apical disc.

Distribution

Fossils of species within this genus have been found in the Middle to Upper Jurassic sediments (Bajocian-Oxfordian) in Europe, Madagascar and Africa (Morocco).^{[3] [5]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fossilworks: Asterocidaris . fossilworks.org. 17 December 2021.
2. Web site: Mesozoic_Echinoids . earthphysicsteaching.homestead.com. 2015-05-10.
3. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Asterocidaris Cotteau, 1859 † . marinespecies.org. 2015-05-10.
4. Web site: Spicules - Miner Fossil, Tú tienda de fósiles y minerales - Your shop of minerals and fossils . minerfossil.jimdo.com. 2015-05-10.
5. Smith, A. B. & Kroh, A. (editor) 2011. The Echinoid Directory