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Hardouinia mortonis

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description Hardouinia mortonis Overview

Hardouinia mortonis is an extinct species of cassiduloid sea urchin that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Its fossils are primarily found in the southeastern United States, specifically within Maastrichtian stage rocks dating back approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. As a cassiduloid, it possessed a distinct, often irregular or heart-shaped test, adapted to life burrowing in marine sediments.

help Hardouinia mortonis FAQ

What kind of animal is Hardouinia mortonis?

Hardouinia mortonis is an extinct species of cassiduloid sea urchin that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It belonged to a group of echinoids that had a somewhat flattened, irregular shape, similar to modern-day heart urchins or sand dollars.

Where can I find fossils of Hardouinia mortonis?

Fossils of Hardouinia mortonis are primarily found in the southeastern United States. They are typically unearthed in Maastrichtian-age rock formations, which date back to approximately 70 to 66 million years ago.

What does the scientific name Hardouinia mortonis mean?

The genus Hardouinia was named in honor of a historical figure, while the species epithet mortonis likely pays homage to a prominent 19th-century American scientist or fossil collector. Together, the name serves as a formal taxonomic identifier for this specific extinct marine creature.

Did Hardouinia mortonis live in deep water or shallow water?

Like many cassiduloid urchins, Hardouinia mortonis likely lived in shallow marine environments, such as coastal shelves. The limestone deposits of the southeastern United States where they are found today were once covered by the warm, shallow waters of the ancient Western Interior Seaway.

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