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There are over 100 known species of echinoids found from the Florida Tertiary. Their proliferation was due partially to a warmer climate than today, but the fossil record is so complete mainly because most of them were infaunal (lived under or on the sea bottom) and therefore less likely to be destroyed before fossilization. There are several distinct geologic ages and formations in Florida that apply to not only echinoids but all fossils found in the state. Where I usually hunt there is only a limited geologic span where echinoids are found. The Middle and Late Eocene Ocala Limestone(which is found throughout the SE US) is where most of my collecting is done. It is divided into 3 distinct subformations, the Williston, Inglis and Crystal River. The Florida Eocene formations contain the most diverse group of echinoids, in numbers as well as species. The Late Oligocene is found in the Suwanee Limestone, and are rarely found here. Although other Miocene fossils are common here, I have never found any echinoids from that era. Family Laganidae: usually tiny and hard to find intact Laganum/Durhamella floridanum-Eocene Laganum/Durhamella ocalanus-Eocene |
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Echinoids |
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Limestone Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars |
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Family Neolaginidae: Hard to tell apart, a common find, Eocene Neolagnum dalli- very rare Neolagnum durhami-very thick margins Weisbordella cubae - concave bottom Wythella eldridgei - largest, hexagonal shape Family Cassidulidae: An uncommon find here Cassidulus/Rhyncholampas trojanus-very rare, Eocene Cassidulus/Rhyncholampas gouldii-larger, Oligocene Family Echinoneidae: (Subfamily Oligopyginae) : sea biscuits, very common, most of the spine fragments probably come from this genus Eocene Oligophygus weatherbyi - largest Oligophygus haldemani-our most common find by far Oligophygus phelani- smallest Family Fibularidae: tiny, egg shaped, Eocene Fibularia vaughani-rare, and very fragile Family Schizasteridae: very rare here, Eocene Agassizia clevei "floridanus" - small, very rare intact Schizaster ocalanus-have only found 1 specimen Family Spatangidae very rare here, largest in size, Eocene Eupatagus antillarum-only 1 intact specimen |
