ECHINOIDS OF THE GENUS WASHITASTER (SPATANGOIDA): MORPHOLOGY AND TAXONOMIC POSITION

Abstract

The type material on the genus Washitaster Lambert from the Upper Albian of Texas is reexamined, and the genus is assigned to the Toxasteridae. The most important character of this genus is the presence of multiple fasciole of unique structure not found in other spatangoids. In some species of Washitaster, there is an alternation of arched and slitlike pores in ambulacrum III, the feature relating this genus to Heteraster (Toxasteridae).