Kane Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 While splitting upper Ordovician shales in Ontario, I encountered these and reasoned it was possible these were sponges (owing to the presence of what appear to be spicules). I have encountered sponges in the upper Ordovician limestones, but not in the shales. The solo specimen measures about 1 cm. The cluster piece contain specimens slightly smaller than that. Firstly, I just wanted to rule out these as simply artifacts of mineralization. If they are sponges, I was curious if anyone had a bead on their genus as sponges are well outside my wheelhouse. 1 5 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 (edited) They certainly look like it! You really need @Spongy Joe as this kind of sponge is right in his area of expertise. There are loads of genera... Edited May 25, 2023 by TqB 1 1 1 Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 25, 2023 Author Share Posted May 25, 2023 Thanks, Tarquin. For now, I have access to the Carrera and Rigby article (but just a bit lost at the moment in determining at least the type of sponge this might fall under). 1 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 6 minutes ago, Kane said: Thanks, Tarquin. For now, I have access to the Carrera and Rigby article (but just a bit lost at the moment in determining at least the type of sponge this might fall under). I've messaged Joe on social media so hope he might look in. Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 Perhaps Solactiniella plumata Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 Hinde, G.J. 1891 IV.—Notes on a New Fossil Sponge from the Utica Shale Formation (Ordovician) at Ottawa, Canada. Geological Magazine, 8(1):22-24 Stephanella HINDE, 1891, p. 23 [*S. sancta; OD]. Circular masses of possible rhabdodiactines radiating from a center. Middle Ordovician–Upper Ordovician: Canada (Ontario), Australia (?Victoria). ——FIG. 229,1. *S. sancta, Utica Shale, Upper Ordovician, Ottawa, Canada; drawing of radial spicule structure of type (Hinde, 1891). from: Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology – Part E Porifera Revised Volume 3 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted May 25, 2023 Author Share Posted May 25, 2023 I think we have a winner! Thanks, Scott! The description matches perfectly. ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted May 25, 2023 Share Posted May 25, 2023 That's a great ans not common find Kane, this is great ! 1 "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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