Mazon Creek ID help

[Mark Kmiecik]

I'm not quite comfortable with the possible IDs offered for these three fossils. Again, I sincerely thank anyone who chimes in with even a guess.

 

A0003 -- Myalinella sp. or other bivalve, or something else? It has been suggested this is a Coprolite.

C0004 -- Lycopod leaf upper end both halves? The part that looks like Coprolite has a "peanut shell" pattern in the hollow of the half on the right.

C0085 -- Cyperites? I'm not convinced. Not comfortable with the taper. Perhaps a spine, either plant, arthropod or marine?

 

 

  

Edited December 22, 2021 by Mark Kmiecik

[flipper559]

I'm not gonna be much help.

I think A0003 is indeed a coprolite

 

Rock On !!

Phil

[Mark Kmiecik]

@bigred97

@connorp

@deutscheben

@fiddlehead

@Nimravis

@RCFossils

@Runner64

@stats

 

Please take another look at these. I realize that a photo is not as good as having it in hand, but I would certainly appreciate it if you guys take a second look. I would rather label something "indet." as opposed to misidentifying it. Also, each of these had only one ID opinion and I'd like to have a consensus of three or more opinions, if possible.

 

Sincere thanks,

Mark.

Edited January 3, 2022 by Mark Kmiecik

[connorp]

I think the first is a coprolite as well. The second look like Cyperites, I think the blob is unrelated. Maybe a coprolite, or just indeterminate organic matter. The third I am still unsure. I feel like it is something interesting, but I am not sure what.

[stats]

I think A0003 is a coprolite.

C004 has a Cyperites, but maybe there is something inside the embedded smaller concretion.  I see ones like this from the Kodat farm.  The concretions sometimes have fossils on the "outside" and smaller layers inside.  Usually, they are empty.

C0085 is a Cyperites.  The bulge might be where the attachment point was or just a chip when it opened.

 

Cheers,

Rich

 

 

[deutscheben]

For A0003, I think coprolite is most likely too, but it seems to me like there is a possibility it is a bivalve with a trace fossil- it would depend on the texture and macro-level detail of the fossil.

 

C0004 is Cyperites and something else of indeterminate nature- possibly a coprolite or organic or mineral material.

 

I think Cyperites is still the most parsimonious ID for C0086, but I agree it’s an unusual shape to see for one- having an expert look at in person would be the best way to be sure. I don’t think the round area near the base is anything other than an uneven split though.

[Runner64]

I agree that A0003 is a coprolite.
 

I would likely label the other two as cyperites leaves. But would suggest getting more opinions for C0086 since not a very strong consensus yet.

[Mark Kmiecik]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your input.

[Mark Kmiecik]

On 1/3/2022 at 12:31 PM, deutscheben said:

I think Cyperites is still the most parsimonious ID for C0086, but I agree it’s an unusual shape to see for one- having an expert look at in person would be the best way to be sure. I don’t think the round area near the base is anything other than an uneven split though.

 

The round area around the base is a void. That's one of the reasons I'm not sold on Cyperites.

[Mark Kmiecik]

On 1/3/2022 at 1:19 PM, Runner64 said:

I would likely label the other two as cyperites leaves. But would suggest getting more opinions for C0086 since not a very strong consensus yet.

 

That's why I'm hoping Jack (fiddlehead) chimes in.

[Mark Kmiecik]

On 1/3/2022 at 12:31 PM, deutscheben said:

For A0003, I think coprolite is most likely too, but it seems to me like there is a possibility it is a bivalve with a trace fossil- it would depend on the texture and macro-level detail of the fossil.

 

I'm questioning whether this is a Coprolite because it lacks the "normal" inclusions and appears to have a hard, smooth surface. I wish I could take a better photo of this one.