Fossil Sea Urchin (Oligopygus) On Matrix - Florida

This is a 38 million year fossil sea urchin of the species Oligopygus weatherbyi from the Ocala Limestone in Florida. This particular specimen was prepared in my lab under microscope using air abrasives to remove any matrix clinging to it's surface. This results in an amazing amount of detail being exposed.

Sea urchins are a type of echinoderm which is still alive and living relatively unchanged today. They live at the bottom of soft ocean floors and have long spines protruding from their central body. They move along the bottom of the ocean using many small feet while feeding on various plant and animal matter on the bottom.