Two Cretaceous fossils
Any experts on Cretaceous fossils from Ignaberga in Sweden out there that can help me? At that time, around 80 Ma it was a archipelago-like enviroment, rich on belemnites, brachiopods and shark) Ive got two small remains that I want to know what they could be.
January 21, 2009 + Posted in Paleontology, Sweden +
Echinoid (sea urchin) spines. The second picture is for sure an echinoid spine; the first picture is a bit fuzzy due to the depth of focus, but it’s probably also an echinoid spine. The flat surface on the broken end of the spine in the second photo is a dead giveaway. Echinoderm plates and spines are made of single crystals of calcite, therefore they tend to break along cleavage planes. The swollen end of the second spine is where it attached to the shell, in a ball-and-socket joint that allows it to pivot in all directions.
Comment by Howard, Calgary Canada — January 22, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Howard: Thanks a lot for your answer! I agree with your theories.
Comment by Antimonite — January 22, 2009 @ 11:58 am