anomalocarid arm

[Fissiletag]

I'm looking at purchising a fossil that is labeled anomalocarid. It's not super well preserved, but looks like part of an anomalcarid arm. Is it an anomalocarid or something else. 

[Fossildude19]

Not sure there is enough of it there to say one way or the other. 

[Fissiletag]

The main thing I'm looking at are these spines coming off of the arm. Is there anything else in the Chengjiang fossils that would have those spines? Here's a photo of a sold fossil that looks sort of similar also labled animalocarid.

[Rockwood]

Maybe this is Anomalocarid, but not  arm ?

[Fissiletag]

@Rockwood Any reason for it not being an arm, and if it isn't what part could it come from?

[Fossildude19]

Not sure that is a spine. Too hard to tell, in my opinion. It could be. Maybe.

I would personally wait for a more easily identifiable specimen.

[Rockwood]

30 minutes ago, Fissiletag said:

@Rockwood Any reason for it not being an arm, and if it isn't what part could it come from?

Which end would be the distal one ? That's why it doesn't seem to quite add up to an arm.

[Fissiletag]

@RockwoodI think the arm is going this way if it is an arm. 

[bcfossilcollector]

It does look like the grasping appendage of an Anomalocarid. However, I agree with the uncertainty expressed by Fossildude and Rockwood. The second image you’ve provided leads me to believe that it could be a grasping part of an Anomalocarid. Very interesting specimen!

[Rockwood]

2 hours ago, Fissiletag said:

Here's a photo of a sold fossil that looks sort of similar also labled animalocarid.

I can't see it comparing well with the other example. The fossil does seem to extend in that direction, but it looks more flattened and less segmented.

[Fissiletag]

@Fossildude19 I probably will purchase it because it is extremely cheap, and if another one that is easier to identify goes up for sale I might look at getting it. 

[bcfossilcollector]

Just now, Rockwood said:

I can't see it comparing well with the other example. The fossil does seem to extend in that direction, but it looks more flattened and less segmented.

I agree. I see a few morphological similarities with the second example but the specimen in question is very faint. Could be a variation in preservation, or perhaps a different type of Anomalocarid. Could also be something else!  Interesting for sure. 

[jpc]

and where is it from?  Just to be curious and informed....

 

[Fissiletag]

The seller says Yunnan China which has the Chengjang fauna.

[bcfossilcollector]

Chengjiang?   @Fissiletag

[bcfossilcollector]

2 minutes ago, Fissiletag said:

The seller says Yunnan China which has the Chengjang fauna.

Sorry didn’t see your last post. 

[Mahnmut]

Hi Fissiletag,

to me it looks good, especially when looking at my monitor obliquely, which brings out the contrast in absence of photoshop.

Faint preservation, but for a possible anomalocaridid at a good price I´d risk looking at it in person.

Best Regards,

J

[Fissiletag]

@Mahnmut It's a very good price. I'll update you if I get it.