Kurufossils Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Wanted to share an usual fossil I self collected a long time ago from the Triassic of New Jersey that I can't really find images of elsewhere on here. This a fossilized large Gall wasp nest, took me awhile to figure this one out initially. I've seen fossils insects but its a pleasant suprise to see a fossilized insect nest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I didn't think gall wasps evolved until the Cretaceous? https://www.nrm.se/download/18.42129f1312d951207af800041622/Ronquist_et_al_Evol_2001.PDF Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norki Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I'm definitely no entomologist, but apparently Hymenoptera originated in the Triassic period, so there's definitely a possibility that this was created by a different wasp-like insect. Or a different clade of insects altogether, who knows. Like any trace fossil it's unlikely that you'll be able to assign a specific animal to this trace, but because of the fact that Hymenopterans existed during this period, as well as the superficial similarity of the specimen to a gall wasp nest, I suppose that it's a fair speculation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurufossils Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 Here is an image of one of the fossil insects gall from the Upper Triassic of southern Brazil from where I made the comparison for reference. Not to sure what species it would be so I just labeled it as gall wasp for now as I'm not to sure what other insects make galls, though its certainly an insect gall of some sorts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 Has any paleontologist had a look at this? This could be scientifically important. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurufossils Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 @Fossildude19 Unfortunately I never have luck getting into contact with the main Triassic expert of the east coast Paul E. Olsen, I've shown a few things to Paris of the NJSM though it would be nice to to have someone like Paul check out a few interesting things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 3 hours ago, Kurufossils said: @Fossildude19 Unfortunately I never have luck getting into contact with the main Triassic expert of the east coast Paul E. Olsen, I've shown a few things to Paris of the NJSM though it would be nice to to have someone like Paul check out a few interesting things. You might try contacting Brian Axsmith at The University of Southern Alabama. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabRatKing Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 23 hours ago, Kurufossils said: Wanted to share an usual fossil I self collected a long time ago from the Triassic of New Jersey that I can't really find images of elsewhere on here. This a fossilized large Gall wasp nest, took me awhile to figure this one out initially. I've seen fossils insects but its a pleasant suprise to see a fossilized insect nest. Even if this isn't an insect gall, it could be a cone or seed or other plant related nodule. Either way, I'd make it priority to get intouch with a paleobotanist for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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