Weird bryozoan? Graptolith architecture? Something else? Unknown specimen with well preserved microstructure found in Ordovician Beauharnois Fmt, Joliette area, Québec.

[alpha8768]

Hey there Fossil Forum.

 

One of my friends found an interesting specimen showing a well preserved (lamellar?) microstructure inside the Beauharnois Fmt limestone (Joliette area, Québec). Beauharnois Fmt is Ordovician. To me, this could very well be some kind of colonial animal (like a bryozoan or graptolith), but I have never seen a similar one where I live so far. The dual branch architecture makes me think of a graptolith, while the somewhat "lamellar" microstructure reminds me of a bryozoan. However, I would not be surprised if it was something entirely different. Any guess? Please see pictures below. Specimen is 5 centimeters long.

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by alpha8768

[ClearLake]

Very neat piece!  I think it is a cross section of a bryozoan.  Here is a picture off of this website that shows a similar morphology.  I wish the picture below was a bit more "zoomed out" but hopefully you see what I mean.  I am not familiar with your formation, but it looks similar to Ordovician bryozoans I have seen/collected elsewhere.

https://strata.uga.edu/cincy/fauna/bryozoanStudy/bryozoanAnatomy.html

 

Edited November 16, 2022 by ClearLake

[Fossildude19]

Definitely a bryozoan in cross section.

Neat find.

[alpha8768]

21 minutes ago, ClearLake said:

Very neat piece!  I think it is a cross section of a bryozoan.  Here is a picture off of this website that shows a similar morphology.  I wish the picture below was a bit more "zoomed out" but hopefully you see what I mean.  I am not familiar with your formation, but it looks similar to Ordovician bryozoans I have seen/collected elsewhere.

https://strata.uga.edu/cincy/fauna/bryozoanStudy/bryozoanAnatomy.html

 

That is one concise, convincing answer. Mystery solved. Thanks guys (again and once more)!