Some more finds from my eurypterid expedition

[Nautiloid]

Hello all!

 

As I’ve been taking a closer look at some of the rocks from my previous fossil hunt on August 22, I have been finding some pretty cool fossils that I overlooked at first. I am going to show some of the more interesting ones on this post. 
 

Enjoy!

~ Owen
 

 

[Nautiloid]

This “exploded eurypterid” plate actually has some pretty awesome fossils on it. So far, with the help of @Al Tahan I’ve been able to identify parts from at least 2 individuals of 2 different species. 
 

[Nautiloid]

Here’s a closeup of that pterygotid mouth part. It measures around 2 cm long. 

 

[Nautiloid]

This is a partial prosoma with the beginnings of both swimming arms and some body segments. @Al Tahan and I both agree that in front of the head are what are most likely the backs of both mouth parts. 
 

[Nautiloid]

This is a closeup of what might be a part of a reproductive appendage.

 

 

[fossilcrazy]

You are welcome to mine my Eurypterid discard heap.

[Nautiloid]

Not certain on this piece, possibly the tip of a swimming paddle?

[Nautiloid]

32 minutes ago, fossilcrazy said:

You are welcome to mine my Eurypterid discard heap.

Thanks for the offer! Whenever COVID clears up or once I get my license (whichever comes first haha) I’d be more than willing to pay you a visit!  By the way, your discard pile puts my eurypterid collection to shame lol. 

[Misha]

11 minutes ago, fossilcrazy said:

You are welcome to mine my Eurypterid discard heap.

Discard!? some of those look really nice

What do the keepers look like?

[Nautiloid]

Just now, Misha said:

Discard!? some of those look really nice

What do the keepers look like?

Haha I was just thinking the same thing! Some of these “discard” rocks are loaded with fossils!

[Misha]

Very cool finds!

I am currently looking into some eurypterid locations that I might scout out eventually.

Not sure when I will be able to make it to NY though.

[Nautiloid]

5 minutes ago, Misha said:

Very cool finds!

I am currently looking into some eurypterid locations that I might scout out eventually.

Not sure when I will be able to make it to NY though.

Thanks! Good luck with your eurypterid hunting when you get a chance to do it! 

[PrehistoricWonders]

33 minutes ago, fossilcrazy said:

You are welcome to mine my Eurypterid discard heap.

wow! That’s insane! Could you post some of your nicest?!

[Nautiloid]

I just found the second mouth part from the juvenile pterygotid! Its a little more faint which is why I didn’t see it at first. 

[Nautiloid]

Also was able to ID this larger piece as a pterygotid body segment. 

[Nautiloid]

I added on my newest finds. 

[Randyw]

On 9/2/2020 at 10:03 PM, fossilcrazy said:

You are welcome to mine my Eurypterid discard heap.

Here I was thinking it would be nice to find a piece of one and you’ve discarded hundreds! 

[Pagurus]

Great job finding, researching and identifying these bits and pieces of these fascinating creatures.

 

[Nautiloid]

23 minutes ago, Pagurus said:

Great job finding, researching and identifying these bits and pieces of these fascinating creatures.

 

Thank you so much!  It’s definitely been quite exciting finding new fossils to identify!

[Al Tahan]

I just can’t figure it out but the draw of trying to understand Eurypterids is addicting! Such odd creatures with little to compare to give us clues on their behavior and reproductive biology. They probably had many feeding different habits Which in some way are represented in the body plans. The whole telson situation....offense or defense? swimming paddles and walking legs? Depending on the Eurypterid these parts vary in size, shape....and therefore functionality to a point. Eurypterids prolly filled several ecological niches with different feeding strategies....thus creating lots of specialized parts for us humans to find and scratch our heads about 400+ milllion years later!  

[Nautiloid]

1 hour ago, Al Tahan said:

I just can’t figure it out but the draw of trying to understand Eurypterids is addicting! Such odd creatures with little to compare to give us clues on their behavior and reproductive biology. They probably had many feeding different habits Which in some way are represented in the body plans. The whole telson situation....offense or defense? swimming paddles and walking legs? Depending on the Eurypterid these parts vary in size, shape....and therefore functionality to a point. Eurypterids prolly filled several ecological niches with different feeding strategies....thus creating lots of specialized parts for us humans to find and scratch our heads about 400+ milllion years later!  

Well said Al! They’re definitely very fascinating creatures to study. They have such amazing anatomies and its fun to just sit and try to imagine how they lived and what the functions of their specialised parts were! The part I find the craziest is how many different body parts can be found fossilized, and how well they can be preserved. Its just mind-blowing finding the mandibles of a pterygotid that still have serrations, or a swimming leg that still has its spines!