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Fossils
Ammonite
Trilobite
Amber
Belemnite
Brachiopods
Echinoids
Crinoids
Graptolites |
Echinoids
Despite their alien appearance, echinoids, or sea-urchins as they are
better known, are very common in the seas and oceans of today and are common
fossils too. Their name derives from the Greek 'echin' ('spiny').
These 85 million year old creatures are preserved in flint, often
resembling a crown. These spent their life on the seafloor within the
sediment. The outer body was covered in coarse hair-like, used to move
about.
Fossil echinoids possess five prominent bands which radiate from the top
of the echinoid. In life these were rows of small holes through which fleshy
extensions called tube-feet protruded. These are used for respiration,
gathering food and locomotion.
| Sea Urchins |
Echinoids |
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