Naco Formation Superlative Sponges

[DPS Ammonite]

Alternate title: I found Pennsylvanian fossilized Sesame Wasa Crispbread; is it safe to eat?

I have visited the Pennsylvanian Naco Formation east of Payson, Arizona several times this long hot summer and found some interesting sponges. 

 

My most interesting find was this 5 cm wide sponge that looked almost exactly like a Wasa Crispbread with sesame seeds on top. I was about to nickname it a Wasa sponge until I found out that it had a genus name: Stioderma. Pennsylvanian Desmoinian Stioderma occur in Texas. Link It is amazing how many fossils I have identified from the Pennsylvanian Naco Formation by reading references from fossils found in Texas and Oklahoma: thanks.

 

link to Collections

 

I found a new 5 cm sponge that sort of looks like a horn coral, but it has spicules.

 

The area contained the usual suspects such as this 165 mm long Wewokella solida Link.

and this 50 mm Chaunactis olsoni that the Arizona Museum of Natural History expresses interest in and hopefully will get it.

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2020 by DPS Ammonite

[Tidgy's Dad]

Stunning! 

All of them are great, but the last one ( the Chaunactis, not the crispbread. Maybe that too.) is incredible. 

Love the colours. 

[TqB]

Spectacular.

[Missourian]

That is some unique weathering on the Chaunactis piece. Beautiful specimen.