minnbuckeye Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 I am pretty sure this is Aulopora. My understanding is this coral grew on hard substrates (rocks, brachiopods, other corals, etc). Nothing in my sample shows evidence of such a material to anchor on. Can this coral exist free standing or have I misidentified it? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 The shell substrate could have dissolved away leaving the coral. Maybe the limestone with the hash matrix was lithified when the coral encrusted it. 2 1 2 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimB88 Posted November 5, 2022 Share Posted November 5, 2022 or it was separated from its anchor and transported post mortem prior to burial. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share Posted November 6, 2022 Both plausible/ likely explanations. So there is no indication this coral could grow free standing? Just a silly question which is hard to answer on line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted November 6, 2022 Share Posted November 6, 2022 @minnbuckeye Maybe Aulocystis rather than Aulopora? From "Field Guide to the Devonian Fossils of New York" 2014 Karl A. Wilson. 2 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...
minnbuckeye Posted November 6, 2022 Author Share Posted November 6, 2022 @Fossildude19, excellent info!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erose Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 I find similar corals loose in the matrix alongside ones that are obviously encrusting here in the Pennsylvanian of Texas. Different genus is a possibility along with some of the other suggestion. Corals can be hard to pin down. There are often similar genera in the same strata and without thin sections we are often making a SWAG at best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now