The Neognathostomata are a superorder of sea urchins.

Neognathostomata
Temporal range: Lower Jurassic–recent
Echinocyamus pusillus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Echinoidea
Subclass: Euechinoidea
Infraclass: Irregularia
Superorder: Neognathostomata
Smith, 1981
Orders

Cassiduloida
Clypeasteroida
Echinolampadoida

Description and characteristics

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They are distinguished from other sea urchins by their irregular shape and a highly modified feeding lantern. The group includes the well known sand dollars, as well as some less familiar and extinct forms.

Taxonomy

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Test of a Clypeaster reticulatus (Clypeasterina).
Mellita longifissa ("sand dollar").
Fossil of an Echinolampas hemisphaericus (Echinolampadoida).

References

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