FossilNerd Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) I was able to get out and hunt a new Ordovician spot today. A full trip report is coming, but I’m too curious about this one to wait. In the field I grabbed this thinking it was a large trilobite genal spine. After getting it home and doing some quick cleaning and research, I am less convinced. I’m not even sure that any trilobite from this time period/formation would have spines this size (still researching). From a quick glance at a Kentucky Geological Map it looks like I was in the Grant Lake Limestone (Upper Ordovician). I’m probably way off base here. Trilobites (and bits) are barely in my wheelhouse. What do you all think? I have outlined the general shape of the whole specimen in the below photo as it is obscured by overlying matrix, and a brach, towards the wider end. It has striations running the length and is flat for the most part, but the inside of the “spine” appears to be more rounded. Edited May 12, 2020 by FossilNerd Spelling correction 2 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntonia Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Hmm I don't think this is a genal spine. Those sort of striations as well as the general shape doesn't say trilobite to me, though I could be wrong. I feel like I used to know what type of fossils these are but I've forgotten. Still a neat piece in any case. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 I think it may be a solitary rugose 'horn' coral. Oh, and it's genal not genial. You're rather genial but the spine probably isn't, not in any real way. 3 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntonia Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 I think @Tidgy's Dad is correct, I'll say horn coral as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 21 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said: I think it may be a solitary rugose 'horn' coral. Oh, and it's genal not genial. You're rather genial but the spine probably isn't, not in any real way. Thanks Adam. That’s what I get for trying to spell at midnight! A solitary rugose did cross my mind, but with it being flat, I wasn’t sure. I can see the edge. There doesn’t appear to be any depth to it at all. Just one thin flat piece. Maybe the outer wall of the coralite? 1 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Isotelus cephalic doublure: Rudkin, D.M., Tripp, Ronald P. 1989 The Type Species of the Ordovician Trilobite Genus Isotelus: I. gigas Dekay, 1824. Royal Ontario Museum, Life Sciences Contributions, 152:1-19 PDF LINK 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 32 minutes ago, Huntonia said: Hmm I don't think this is a genal spine. Those sort of striations as well as the general shape doesn't say trilobite to me, though I could be wrong. You are probably right. I don’t find trilobites very often, and don’t have much more than general knowledge of a select few. 1 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 There you go. I was horribly wrong. Scott to the rescue again. 2 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 3 minutes ago, piranha said: Isotelus cephalic doublure: That’s it! Scott. You sir, have just made my day (well night...)! Thank you very much! 3 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntonia Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, FossilNerd said: You are probably right. I don’t find trilobites very often, and don’t have much more than general knowledge of a select few. There is much much to learn. Just when I think I'm getting the hang of it I'm surprised again. Case and point just now! I'm ever astounded by pirahna's seemingly infinite knowledge on the topic. Congratulations cool find! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 2 minutes ago, Huntonia said: There is much much to learn. Just when I think I'm getting the hang of it I'm surprised again. Case and point just now! I'm ever astounded by pirahna's seemingly infinite knowledge on the topic. Congratulations cool find! That’s one reason why I love fossils. There is always something to learn! Never a dull moment! Thanks @Huntonia @Tidgy's Dad @piranha for the help. It is much appreciated! 3 The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Good find, Wayne, and great that you were able to get out! In material like that, if it's caramel brown, it merits a second look. Some of those Isotelus could get to some very impressive sizes, but finding them intact as opposed to fragments is a challenge. 2 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 44 minutes ago, Kane said: Good find, Wayne, and great that you were able to get out! In material like that, if it's caramel brown, it merits a second look. Some of those Isotelus could get to some very impressive sizes, but finding them intact as opposed to fragments is the challenge. Thanks Kane! It was some much needed “me time”. I have found a few other suspiciously buggy, caramel brown, bits and pieces before in the Upper Ordovician of the Cincinnati Arch, but nothing this large, and nothing that would have any kind of certainty in an identification, other than possible trilobite fragment. I’m definitely happy with this one! The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeschWhat Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 8 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: There you go. I was horribly wrong. Scott to the rescue again. Mistaken, maybe, but you couldn't be "horribly" anything. 1 Lori www.areallycrappystory.com/fossils www.facebook.com/fossilpoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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