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Micraster coranguinum

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description Micraster coranguinum Overview

Micraster coranguinum is an extinct species of heart urchin—a type of irregular sea urchin—from the Late Cretaceous period. The species was described by the German naturalist Nathanael Gottfried Leske in 1778. M. coranguinum is one of the most abundant and widely distributed fossils in the Upper Chalk of northwestern Europe, particularly in the White Chalk formations of southern England, northern France, and Denmark.

Its distinctive heart-shaped calcium carbonate test preserves well in chalk, making it a useful index fossil for dating Upper Cretaceous marine deposits. Specimens have also been documented in Bronze Age archaeological contexts.

help Micraster coranguinum FAQ

What kind of animal was the Micraster coranguinum?

Micraster coranguinum is an extinct species of heart urchin, which is a type of irregular sea urchin that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The species is one of the most abundant and widely distributed fossils found in chalk deposits.

Who first officially described the Micraster coranguinum fossil?

The extinct heart urchin species Micraster coranguinum was described by the German naturalist Nathanael Gottfried Leske in 1778. His work established the formal classification for this Late Cretaceous irregular sea urchin found in fossil records.

In what geological period did the Micraster coranguinum live?

Micraster coranguinum lived during the Late Cretaceous period millions of years ago. It is recognized as an extinct species of heart urchin that has since become one of the most abundant and widely distributed fossils from that era.

Why is Micraster coranguinum so famous among fossil hunters?

Micraster coranguinum is highly popular among fossil hunters because it is one of the most abundant and widely distributed fossils from the Late Cretaceous period. This extinct species of heart urchin is frequently uncovered in chalk formations across Europe.

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