#chalk echinoid

British Chalk Fossil Echinoid – Echinocorys scutata elevata | Santonian Upper Chalk Foreness Point Kent UK | Genuine Specimen with COA

This listing features an authentic British Chalk fossil echinoid – Echinocorys scutata elevata, sourced from the Upper Chalk Formation of the Santonian stage in the Late Cretaceous, collected at Foreness Point, Margate, Kent, UK. This rare subspecies is recognised for its higher domed test and more elevated profile compared to other Echinocorys forms.

Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)

Species/Subspecies: Echinocorys scutata elevata

Geological Period: Late Cretaceous (~86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)

Geological Stage: Santonian

Formation: Upper Chalk (Chalk Group)

Location: Foreness Point, Margate, Kent, United Kingdom

Scale Rule: Squares/Cube = 1cm (See photo for full sizing details)

Specimen: You will receive the exact item shown in the photos

Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Geological and Paleontological Context

Echinocorys scutata elevata is a distinctive and relatively uncommon form of echinoid from the British Upper Chalk. It lived in soft marine sediments in a calm, shallow sea during the Late Cretaceous, and its form reflects adaptations for infaunal life.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoidea

Order: Holasteroida

Family: Holasteridae

Genus: Echinocorys

Subspecies: scutata elevata

Depositional Environment: Quiet, carbonate-rich shallow marine shelf dominated by coccolith deposition; ideal for fossilisation of echinoids and other invertebrates

Morphological Features: More strongly domed test with a slightly narrower base, distinct ambulacral petals and well-developed oral and aboral structures; typically larger and taller than vulgaris forms

Biozone: Found within the Santonian stratigraphic intervals in association with inoceramids and foraminifera commonly used in UK chalk biostratigraphy

Notable: Echinocorys scutata elevata is prized for its morphological contrast with flatter echinoid forms and is useful in evolutionary and paleoenvironmental interpretation of Cretaceous chalk faunas

Why This Fossil Is Special

This is a beautifully preserved, A-grade example of Echinocorys scutata elevata. Its height and symmetry set it apart from more common subspecies, making it a visually striking and scientifically interesting addition to any collection.

Why Buy From Us?

100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

You will receive the exact specimen shown in the listing photos

Ethically collected from reputable geological sites in the UK

Ideal for collectors, educators, museums, or natural history enthusiasts

British Chalk Fossil Echinoid – Echinocorys scutata | Santonian Upper Chalk Broadstairs Kent UK | Genuine Specimen with COA

This listing features an authentic British Chalk fossil echinoid – Echinocorys scutata, sourced from the Upper Chalk Formation of the Santonian stage in the Late Cretaceous, collected at Broadstairs, Kent, UK. This iconic species is among the most commonly found and scientifically useful echinoids from the British chalk deposits.

Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)

Species: Echinocorys scutata

Geological Period: Late Cretaceous (~86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)

Geological Stage: Santonian

Formation: Upper Chalk (Chalk Group)

Location: Broadstairs, Kent, United Kingdom

Scale Rule: Squares/Cube = 1cm (See photo for full sizing details)

Specimen: You will receive the exact item shown in the photos

Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Geological and Paleontological Context

Echinocorys scutata is a widely distributed echinoid species known from chalk deposits throughout Europe. These irregular echinoids lived buried in soft carbonate seafloor sediment and were adapted for life just beneath the surface, feeding on organic particles.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoidea

Order: Holasteroida

Family: Holasteridae

Genus: Echinocorys

Depositional Environment: Quiet, shallow marine environment formed from the accumulation of coccolith-rich calcareous mud

Morphological Features: Subglobular to slightly oval test, broad aboral surface with five ambulacral petals, central periproct and oral aperture located on the flattened underside

Biozone: Commonly found in mid to late Santonian biozones; used frequently in stratigraphic correlation in Upper Cretaceous chalk sequences

Notable: Due to its abundance and variability, Echinocorys scutata plays an important role in paleobiological and biostratigraphic studies of the Late Cretaceous

Why This Fossil Is Special

This specimen of Echinocorys scutata is a well-preserved example of a key Cretaceous echinoid. Its symmetry and completeness make it ideal for collectors, educational settings, and museum-quality displays. Broadstairs remains one of the most productive and classic localities for chalk echinoids in the UK.

Why Buy From Us?

100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

You will receive the exact specimen shown in the listing photos

Ethically collected from reputable geological sites in the UK

Ideal for collectors, educators, museums, or natural history enthusiasts

British Chalk Fossil Echinoid – Echinocorys scutata gravesi | Santonian Upper Chalk Broadstairs Kent UK | Genuine Specimen with COA

This listing features an authentic British Chalk fossil echinoid – Echinocorys scutata gravesi, sourced from the Upper Chalk Formation of the Santonian stage in the Late Cretaceous, collected at Broadstairs, Kent, UK. This distinctive subspecies is well-known for its larger, more robust form and higher dome when compared to the more common vulgaris form.

Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)

Species/Subspecies: Echinocorys scutata gravesi

Geological Period: Late Cretaceous (~86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)

Geological Stage: Santonian

Formation: Upper Chalk (Chalk Group)

Location: Broadstairs, Kent, United Kingdom

Scale Rule: Squares/Cube = 1cm (See photo for full sizing details)

Specimen: You will receive the exact item shown in the photos

Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Geological and Paleontological Context

Echinocorys scutata gravesi is a less common and more prominently domed variant of the iconic chalk echinoid genus. It lived on or just beneath the seabed of the ancient Late Cretaceous seas and is commonly used in zonal and paleoecological studies of the British Upper Chalk.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoidea

Order: Holasteroida

Family: Holasteridae

Genus: Echinocorys

Subspecies: scutata gravesi

Depositional Environment: Calm, shallow marine environment dominated by carbonate sedimentation; rich in coccoliths and planktonic debris

Morphological Features: Thick-shelled, subglobular to high-domed test, five ambulacral petals visible from the aboral surface, well-defined oral and anal openings

Biozone: Found in mid to late Santonian stratigraphic zones, often associated with key foraminiferal and inoceramid index fossils

Notable: Gravesi is a biostratigraphically and taxonomically valuable form, and well-preserved specimens are relatively rare in comparison to scutata vulgaris

Why This Fossil Is Special

This specimen of Echinocorys scutata gravesi is particularly well preserved, offering exceptional detail and symmetry. Its elevated test and completeness make it ideal for collectors, display, or study. Specimens from Broadstairs are highly regarded by chalk fossil collectors.

Why Buy From Us?

100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

You will receive the exact specimen shown in the listing photos

Ethically collected from reputable geological sites in the UK

Ideal for collectors, educators, museums, or natural history enthusiasts

British Chalk Fossil Echinoid – Echinocorys scutata | Santonian Upper Chalk Foreness Point Margate Kent UK | Genuine Specimen with COA

Offered here is a classic example of Echinocorys scutata, an extinct fossil echinoid (sea urchin) from the Upper Chalk Formation, deposited during the Santonian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, and collected from the well-known coastal site of Foreness Point, Margate, Kent, UK. This iconic species is one of the most recognisable and important fossils from the British chalk.

Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)

Species: Echinocorys scutata

Geological Period: Late Cretaceous (~86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)

Geological Stage: Santonian

Formation: Upper Chalk (Chalk Group)

Location: Foreness Point, Margate, Kent, United Kingdom

Scale Rule: Squares/Cube = 1cm (See photo for full sizing details)

Specimen: The fossil in the photo is the exact one you will receive

Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Geological and Paleontological Context

Echinocorys scutata is a widespread and well-documented species of irregular echinoid, commonly found throughout the Upper Cretaceous chalk of Europe. It lived as a deposit feeder, burrowing within soft seafloor sediments beneath the ancient Cretaceous seas.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoidea

Order: Holasteroida

Family: Holasteridae

Genus: Echinocorys

Species: scutata

Depositional Environment: Quiet, shallow marine shelf with fine carbonate sedimentation from coccoliths; conditions ideal for fossilisation of echinoids and other marine invertebrates

Morphological Features: Oval to subglobular test (shell), well-developed ambulacral petals on the aboral surface, with a central periproct and flattened oral surface; radial symmetry with slight elongation along the oral-aboral axis

Biozone: Frequently found in mid-to-late Santonian stratigraphic levels; associated with key foraminiferal and inoceramid zones

Notable: Echinocorys scutata is an important biostratigraphic indicator for Upper Cretaceous chalk sequences and is widely used in geological studies of the British chalk

Why This Fossil is Special

This specimen is a true classic of British fossil collecting. Well-preserved, naturally shaped, and collected from a site of national geological importance, this Echinocorys scutata fossil makes an excellent teaching tool or collector’s piece. Its simple symmetry and subtle surface features also make it a beautiful display fossil.

Why Buy From Us?

100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

You receive the exact item pictured

Carefully sourced from reputable British chalk fossil sites

Perfect for collectors, educators, or display in natural history settings

A-Grade British Chalk Fossil Echinoid – Echinocorys scutata depressula | Santonian Cretaceous Broadstairs Kent UK

This is a fine-quality, A-grade fossil specimen of Echinocorys scutata depressula, a subspecies of sea urchin from the Upper Chalk Formation, dated to the Santonian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, collected from the fossil-rich coastal site of Broadstairs, Kent, UK. This distinct form is flatter than other Echinocorys variants, making it a valuable addition to any echinoid or marine invertebrate fossil collection.

Fossil Type: Echinoid (Sea Urchin)

Species/Subspecies: Echinocorys scutata depressula

Geological Period: Late Cretaceous (~86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)

Geological Stage: Santonian

Formation: Upper Chalk (Chalk Group)

Location: Broadstairs, Kent, United Kingdom

Scale Rule: Squares/Cube = 1cm (Please refer to photo for exact sizing)

Specimen: The exact specimen shown in the listing photo is what you will receive

Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity

Geological and Paleontological Information

Echinocorys scutata depressula represents a distinct subspecies of the well-known chalk echinoid, notable for its depressed (flattened) profile and broad, slightly lower dome. These echinoids thrived in soft chalk marine seafloors, where they lived as infaunal deposit feeders.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Echinoidea

Order: Holasteroida

Family: Holasteridae

Genus: Echinocorys

Subspecies: scutata depressula

Depositional Environment: Quiet, low-energy marine shelf; deposition of coccolith-rich chalk created ideal conditions for fossilisation of echinoids and other invertebrates

Morphological Features: Flattened, oval test (shell) with well-defined ambulacral petals; peristome and periproct typically located on flattened oral surface; delicate striae sometimes preserved

Biozone: Likely falls within mid to late Santonian ammonite or inoceramid biozones; important for stratigraphic correlation in UK chalk studies

Notable: This subspecies is less commonly encountered than scutata scutata and offers a refined morphotype for comparative echinoid studies

Why This Fossil is Special

A beautifully preserved flattened echinoid fossil from one of Britain’s most iconic Cretaceous formations, Echinocorys scutata depressula is an excellent study specimen and a visually striking display fossil. Its low profile and complete preservation make it a particularly collectible example.

Why Buy From Us?

100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

You will receive the exact specimen shown in the photos

Carefully selected from reputable UK fossil sites

Perfect for fossil collectors, paleontology educators, and museum-quality display