McNamara, K. J. & Philip, G. M. 1980. Australian Tertiary schizasteroid echinoids. Alcheringa 4, 47-65.

175995

McNamara, K. J.; Philip, G. M.

1980

4: 47-65

Publication

The taxonomy of schizasterid spatangoids is discussed and the term is restricted to include only Schizaster-like echinoids. Within the genus Schizaster Agassiz the following morphological subgenera are recognized: Paraster Pomel, Dipneustes Arnaud and Ova Gray. Seven species are described from Palaeocene to Miocene rocks of Australia. New species are S. (Paraster) carinatus, S. (Paraster) tatei, S. (Schizaster) halli and S. (Dipneustes) fosteri. Schizaster and its various morphotypes are thought to have evolved from a Linthia-like root stock through progressive morphological changes in test shape, form of ambulacra and adoral test morphology. Such changes are interpreted as being adaptations which allowed the sea urchins to occupy various levels of substrate in different sediment types. Morphotypes appear to have evolved iteratively, perhaps due to variation in the onset of sexual maturity.

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