Fossil inhabiting Tabulate coral from Middle Tennessee

[Gregcohen]

I found a strange little critter in a chunk of Tabulate coral from the Nashville area when I was cleaning it.  Most fossils from the area are 438-458 million years old.

 

Any idea what would inhabit tabulate coral?

 

I also included some other areas of the 20 pound chunk of silicified Tabulate corals.  They vary in direction and over lay each other in various directions.

 

I added more addition pieces to show high silicification and types in the area.

 

The little critter is about 5mm across the dome.

 

[abyssunder]

I can't help you with the ID of the specimen in question, but I see there nice Beekite rings. 

 

 

Maybe the specimen is an unusual Beekite formation, not the classic "ring".

Pictures from here: https://gamineral.org/ft/2015/ft201509.html

Edited December 12, 2021 by abyssunder

[Gregcohen]

Beekite is a distinctive form of chalcedony usually associated with silica replacing carbonate minerals in fossils. Beekite, recognised as small, concentric rings of microcrystalline quartz.

 

Many of the silicified fossils from the area I collect have Beekite on them.  The Colonial Roguse Coral is just one of many beekite coated.

 

I attached a compete little tabulate coral head.  Also Beekite coated. 

 

Many just have areas some are completely covered.

 

I also put another category below.  Instead of druzy, beekite, or tabulate plates made of quartz, it was replaced with quartz crystals large enough to see the individual crystals.

[Rockwood]

3 hours ago, Gregcohen said:

Any idea what would inhabit tabulate coral?

It may have been more overgrown by the coral. A stray shell, or ostracod perhaps that landed on the colony.