The Echinoid Directory

Contributed by Andrew Smith, July 2011

Clypeanthus Cotteau, 1894, p. 354

Diagnostic Features	Test subcircular, with slight anterior indentation at the ambitus but no groove Lower surface flat; upper surface moderately inflated Petals lanceolate, the anterior petal a little less developed than the others. Peristome pentagonal without obvious floscelle Periproct oval, supramarginal.
Distribution	Cretaceous, Lebanon.
Name gender	masculine
Type	Toxaster pentagonalis Fraas, 1878, p. 93, by original designation.
Species Included	Only the type species.
Classification and/or Status	Irregularia, Cassiduloida, Gitolampadids Incertae sedis (too poorly known); possibly a senior subjective synonym of Gitolampas Gauthier, 1889.
Remarks	Kier (1962, p. 226) was uncertain where to place this taxon and suggested it might be related to Gentilia even though the illustrtion clearly shows it has a fully developed anterior petal. Here it is treated as a Gitolampadid. The type species needs to be studied to see if this is a senior synonym of Gitolampas, which seems likely. Cotteau, G. 1894. Sur quelques especes d'echinides du Liban. Association Francaise pour l'advancement des Sciences Compte rendu de la 22me seesion, Besancon, 1893, 346-360, pls 1-2. Kier, P. M. 1962. Revision of the cassiduloid echinoids. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 114(3), 262 pp, 44 pls.