Plant or animal ID request

[Ruger9a]

I purchased a clump of rocks from a seller stating "rocks from NY fossil beds".  I prepped the "rocks" and found some trilobite pieces and this.  Is this a plant or animal?

[Fossildude19]

Looks like a bryozoan encrusted Rugose coral, to me.  

[NCSTer]

I concur on the Rugose coral ID, but will defer to @Fossildude19 on the bryozoan encrustation. 

[Rockwood]

I think I would can the coral idea and call it a bryozoan.

That could change if the scale is not a good match though.

[Ruger9a]

OMG...….  I took it out to photograph and then cropped the ruler out!  Then to make matters worse, I cannot seem to locate now!!!  I remember it is about 2 1/2 - 3" (long) x 3/4 - 1" (top) x 1/2" (bottom) if that helps.  I can provide exact measurements when re-located.  Can't believe I did this again...……….. 

[Ludwigia]

I'm in the coral camp.

[Shamalama]

4 hours ago, Rockwood said:

I think I would can the coral idea and call it a bryozoan.

That could change if the scale is not a good match though.

I'm with Rockwood that this is a Bryozoan colony in it's entirety.  Atactotoechus fruticosus, similar to this specimen I found in the Wanakah shale along Lake Erie.  The bottom of the specimen in the last picture is showing the individual "tubes" (I can't recall the actual name) and not septa that some are seeing.

[Ruger9a]

20 minutes ago, Shamalama said:

I'm with Rockwood that this is a Bryozoan colony in it's entirety.  Atactotoechus fruticosus, similar to this specimen I found in the Wanakah shale along Lake Erie.  The bottom of the specimen in the last picture is showing the individual "tubes" (I can't recall the actual name) and not septa that some are seeing.

Thank you Dave.  I will properly label it - when I can re-locate it....

[Spoons]

8 hours ago, Ruger9a said:

Thank you Dave.  I will properly label it - when I can re-locate it....

@Ruger9a Quick Suggestion. Have you checked underneath  the couch cushions? 

[fifbrindacier]

On 05/03/2020 at 11:01 AM, Ruger9a said:

OMG...….  I took it out to photograph and then cropped the ruler out!  Then to make matters worse, I cannot seem to locate now!!!  I remember it is about 2 1/2 - 3" (long) x 3/4 - 1" (top) x 1/2" (bottom) if that helps.  I can provide exact measurements when re-located.  Can't believe I did this again...……….. 

That would make it in centimeters, at least : 6.25 long, about 1.90 top and 1.25 bottom.

I agree with @Shamalama and @Rockwood, it's a bryozoan.

[Ruger9a]

14 hours ago, Spoons said:

@Ruger9a Quick Suggestion. Have you checked underneath  the couch cushions? 

Thanks, will check there shortly.....  BUT.....I had it rolled in a paper towel sitting on the kitchen counter before the missus did her daily cleaning.  And then there was none!  And trash was picked up that afternoon.  Could be a coincidence, but not likely:-(

[Rockwood]

The next time a creature evolves the capacity to study ancient middens it will undoubtedly be a prized find.