Unknown from the Silica Shale (Devonian) of Ohio

[connorp]

I found this specimen in the Silica Shale (Middle Devonian) of Ohio this past weekend. It measures approximately 2cm at the widest point. I have not come across anything like it before. I'm getting a fish vibe but I'm not certain. Any thoughts?

 

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[GeschWhat]

Interesting...

[Fossildude19]

@jdp  

 

Fish was my first impression. 

[Thomas.Dodson]

Fish was my first impression but that is all I can say. I'm interested to see what others think about this.

[minnbuckeye]

Was that from Paulding? @Peat Burns collects the Silica often. I will be interested in the ID!!!! 

 

 Mike

[connorp]

57 minutes ago, minnbuckeye said:

Was that from Paulding? @Peat Burns collects the Silica often. I will be interested in the ID!!!! 

 

 Mike

Yep it was.

[Al Dente]

I have a piece that is somewhat similar from the Cedar Valley Formation of Iowa. Scale is millimeters.

 

 

[minnbuckeye]

34 minutes ago, Al Dente said:

Cedar Valley Formation of Iowa.

 

@Al Dente, and what was your ID? I hunt the Cedar Valley Formation quite frequently and need to look out for this. Was this quarry found?

 

 Mike

[Al Dente]

45 minutes ago, minnbuckeye said:

 

@Al Dente, and what was your ID? I hunt the Cedar Valley Formation quite frequently and need to look out for this. Was this quarry found?

 

 Mike

 

I don't know exactly what it is from but most likely some type of placoderm. It is from one of the quarries I used to hunt when I lived in Iowa. Back then I didn't have much interest in vertebrates so I didn't keep much fish material. 

[jdp]

The first specimen in the OP looks more chitinous to me.

[connorp]

On 4/27/2021 at 11:16 AM, jdp said:

The first specimen in the OP looks more chitinous to me.

I think that's a good call! I looked through Silica Shale arthropod images and came across this phyllocarid specimen which looks to be a match.

http://michiganbasinfossils.org/viewrecord/505

 

Thanks for your input everyone!

[piranha]

That was quite a stumper. Bravo on finally solving its mysterious identity!

 

 

 

Stumm, E.C., Chilman, R.B. 1969

Phyllocarid Crustaceans from the Middle Devonian Silica Shale of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan.

Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, 23(3):53-71  PDF LINK