Fossils in India - Echinoids and Brachiopods

Echinoids live in the sea. Their name is derived from echinos (Greek) which means 'hedgehog'. They are also called sea urchins ('urchin' is an old word for a hedgehog).

Echinoids are related to crinoids and stafish. These often have 5 fold symmetry. Echinoids have a five-pointed star on their back.

Brachiopods belong to the large category of animals without backbones, the invertebrates. They have two shells or valves that are often composed of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate). Brachiopods have a coiled feeding organ called a lophophore that is protected by its valves.

There are two major divisions (Classes) of brachiopods: the inarticulate brachiopods and the articulate brachiopods.

Some of the oldest shelly invertebrate fossils known are brachiopods. Brachiopods are still living in the world's oceans.

It is the brachiopod valves that are often found fossilized. On the inside surface of some, muscle scars or the support structure for the lophophore may be found.

Source: www.paleosoc.org

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