Spatangus
Spatangus is a genus of heart urchins in the Spatangidae family. The genus is synonymous with the previously recognised genera "Prospatangus" Lambert, 1902 and "Spatagus". There are nine recognised species. The type species is "Spatangus purpureus" Müller, 1776 by subsequent designation (Rowe & Gates, 1995). "Spatangus" comprises marine heart urchins that feed on subsurface deposits and graze. Fossil of heart urchins of this genus have been found in the sediments of Europe, United States, Egypt and Australia from Cretaceous to Pliocene (age range: 85.8 to 2.588 Ma). Species. Species within this genus include: