Missourian Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Ok, some Pennsylvanian sponges....My reassembled Heliospongia ramosa, as a saguaro:As a reclining figure:Heliospongia ramosa bouquet:Heliospongia ramosa, showing internal structure:Heliospongia ramosa. Is the smooth, circular area on the surface at the bottom a site of attachment of another organism?:Silicified Heliospongia excavata, etched from limestone: Edited September 18, 2013 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Maeandrostia kansasensis: Amblysiphonella: Amblysiphonella-filled limestone: Coelocladia: A rather large, branching Coelocladia smothered under algae: Edited January 2, 2013 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Girtyocoelia and Girtycoelia (yes, they are different ): Fissispongia(?): Wewokella (or Regispongia): Wewokella, close-up: Chaetetes milleporaceous, a reef-forming sclerosponge: Chaetetes, fine detail: All specimens are from the Pennsylvanian of northeast Kansas, except for the Chaetetes, which was found in western Missouri. Edited November 13, 2011 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 You have found some really unusual looking sponges.. I love Heliospongia ramosa bouquet best.. It looks like a hand.. Some fossil feeding probes found in Texas look visually like that too.. You did a good job of attaching the one in the pic.. The Girtyocoelia and Girtycoelia have always confused me a bit. I wish they didn't have such close names.. They are a very unique sponge to me... Welcome to the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkfoam Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Thanks for this post. The Porifera are one of my favorite invertebrate phylum. The sponges seem to be one of the most overlooked fossil collectables. They may not have the appearance Snap or Wow of a trilobite or ammonite but there is a beauty to their simplicity. Jim The Eocene is my favorite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 The Girtyocoelia and Girtycoelia have always confused me a bit. I wish they didn't have such close names.. Yeah. Girtyocoelia used to be called Heterocoelia. Ironically, hetero means 'different'. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudeman Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Amazing collection Missourian! Troy Nelson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Some recent finds, though these were from a spot a few miles into Missouri.... I found a few large Heliospongia embedded in the top of a limestone ledge. Two can be seen here: I picked them out, and after confirming that they were silicified, I gave them a muriatic acid bath. I am happy with the results: The 'worst' looking one turned out to be the best specimen I've ever seen: I will have to go back and look for more.... Edited December 11, 2011 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingdigits Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 I just found this today near Kill Creek. I think it's a sponge but I am a noob. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 That is a beautifully detailed Heliospongia on a nice piece of matrix. And it appears to be silicified as well. If you check the limestone where you found it, there likely are others in the rock. Like my specimen above, some muriatic acid should bring them out nicely. Be sure to test them on glass to make sure they indeed are silicified. Your specimen above, on the other hand, needs no prep work. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingdigits Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 (edited) That is a beautifully detailed Heliospongia on a nice piece of matrix. And it appears to be silicified as well. If you check the limestone where you found it, there likely are others in the rock. Like my specimen above, some muriatic acid should bring them out nicely. Be sure to test them on glass to make sure they indeed are silicified. Your specimen above, on the other hand, needs no prep work. Hey thanks so much! There were indeed others, but I a so new at this I do not even have a rock hammer or anything and only acquire what I can pick up. I am afraid I do not know what silicified is....that's why we have Google I guess. Thanks again! PS. I wondered about muratic acid as I have used on masonry work in the past. I need to look into that too I guess. PPS. Do you happen to know what the other things are in the first picture just below the sponge? Smaller sponges? Very sorry to ask. You have been so helpful already! Edited January 5, 2012 by missingdigits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 I am afraid I do not know what silicified is.... PS. I wondered about muratic acid as I have used on masonry work in the past. I need to look into that too I guess. PPS. Do you happen to know what the other things are in the first picture just below the sponge? Smaller sponges? Very sorry to ask. You have been so helpful already! Don't be sorry. I enjoy helping out whenever I can. Silicified basically means they are made out of quartz. I got my muriatic acid in the masonry part of the hardware store, I think. On the specimen, the linear things are phylloid algae (basically, calcified sea weed), and the round things are probably brachiopods. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingdigits Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Don't be sorry. I enjoy helping out whenever I can. Silicified basically means they are made out of quartz. I got my muriatic acid in the masonry part of the hardware store, I think. On the specimen, the linear things are phylloid algae (basically, calcified sea weed), and the round things are probably brachiopods. Thanks! I did the muriatic acid bath and it worked like gangbusters. VERY COOL! Need to experiment some on as to ratio of water to acid and time submerged. I did do baking soda and water to neutralize. Feeling a bit overwhelmed with how much I need to learn and the spare time I have, but I really appreciate the help. Everyone is so nice on this forum. It's a welcome change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Excellent Pennsylvanian sponge of Kansas reference Archived for future reference Thanks for Sharing Flash from the Past (Show Us Your Fossils)MAPS Fossil Show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamalama Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Very cool spnges and pics! Thanks for the reference photos. -Dave __________________________________________________ Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPheeIf I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPheeCheck out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Ok, it's time to reboot this thread. Most of my photos above are just plain awful, so I re-imaged most of the specimens. I will add them and many more to this thread. I'll start with Heliospongia ramosa: Quindaro Shale Miami County, Kansas Heliospongia is the most commonly encountered sponge in the Pennsylvanian rocks of the area. It may not be the most common, but its large size and spicular structure are easy to spot in rock faces. It is especially prevalent in rocks from the Wyandotte Formation through the Lansing Group. The specimen above shows the basic cylindrical plan of a heliosponge. The large pit at the top is the osculum, which is the opening to the central cavity known as the spongocoel: Waste was expelled through this opening while the creature was alive. BTW, the name 'Heliospongia' means 'sun sponge', which comes from the sunburst-like pattern of spicules surrounding the spongocoel: Edited December 11, 2012 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Heliospongia osculum: This one has two osculi. It was probably getting ready to branch: Another cross-section. Note the rows of spicules: Quindaro Shale Miami County, Kansas Edited December 10, 2012 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) A few more cylindrical forms: The one on the right has encrusted algae. Another one covered with algae: A couple with budding branches: Quindaro Shale Miami County, Kansas Edited December 10, 2012 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) Wewokella (Regispongia?) is similar in appearance to Heliospongia, but its spicules resemble coarse, tangled string: A large cylindrical form: This one has a convoluted frill on the top: These were found in the Mound City Shale near Mound City, Kansas. Edited December 10, 2012 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thair Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Neat thread. I always enjoy seeing your stuff since most of my fossils are from the Penn. here in central Texas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Neat thread. I always enjoy seeing your stuff since most of my fossils are from the Penn. here in central Texas. Thanks. The Pennsylvanian sponges of Texas are some of the best anywhere. Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) Heliospongia frequently branched out: At times, the branches grew back together: Quindaro Shale Miami County, Kansas Edited December 11, 2012 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 Apparently, the branching got pretty elaborate at times. I pieced this one back together from several fragments. It reminds me of a saguaro cactus: Ancient sponge as modern art: Quindaro Shale Miami County, Kansas Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missourian Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 (edited) As Heliospongia grew, it often formed clusters. This one reminds me of a glove: A bouquet: Organ pipes: Fist bump: Edited December 11, 2012 by Missourian Context is critical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullsnake Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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