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Mazon Creek Cyclus


Northern Sharks

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All the recent Mazon Creek talk inspired me to go and look for a few pieces. I got this Cyclus from ebay as C.americanus, but was wondering if someone could tell me the difference between the 2 species (C.obesus being the second) Also, what is a typical size for these? Thanks in advance

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There's no limit to what you can accomplish when you're supposed to be doing something else

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Hi Kevin,

Looks to me like you have an example of Cyclus obesus. The best way to differentiate the two types is that obesus has what looks like an outer skirt around the main carapace. Americanus usually is around the size of a dime and obesus is usually slightly larger. I have a few in my collection that are bigger then a quarter. Front limbs and caudal rami are usually better preserved on obesus specimens. Americanus is a very common animal in the Esses Biota. Obesus is less common but still frequently found. I will attach pictures of both as they are typically found. The one on the right is Americanus.

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ewww... looks like Ticks! :P

-Dave

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Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPhee

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