Stumped - Seed Pod? Rhyncholite? Chiton? Late Cretaceous New Jersey

[non-remanié]

I found these in the latest Maastrichtian, uppermost New Egypt fm. of NJ. Both pieces were basically found together which leads me to believe they are somehow related. I have never found anything else like it although I could have easily missed other similar objects since they are small and somewhat nondescript. The preservation reminds me of invert steinkerns found in the same layer. I thought these might possibly be pieces of some larger invert, but I have no idea what. And they really do look like 2 discrete structures instead of pieces of something larger. The local ammonite/invert expert of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Ralph Johnson, was stumped as well, but suggested that they might be rhyncholites. I can definitely see a little resemblance to rhyncholites, but I would like to hear any and all opinions. Eutrophoceras is fairly common in this formation so it would make sense that these might be from a nautiloid. But please share any ideas and opinions on these that you might have!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4JZWcsHflY

Edited October 5, 2013 by non-remanié

[Al Dente]

I don't know what they are but I don't think they are rhyncholites.

[non-remanié]

Thanks, Al Dente. Hopefully someone will have a better idea what they might be.

[howard_l]

I find nautiloid parts in KY. even if they are from different shells if they are around the same size they will fit together like a puzzle ammonoids can be the same way. If this are from cephalopods and you have a number of the same size see if they go together.

[lordpiney]

They kinda remind me of some kind of seed hull. weird!

[non-remanié]

They sure are Phil. All I know is that they gotta be something!

[non-remanié]

A friend suggested these might be fossil chiton parts. Looks like an interesting possibility, but I definitely can't say for sure.

[non-remanié]

barnacle? just throwing guesses at them now. someone has to have an idea!

[Jeffrey P]

No idea what it is, but you might send it to Jason Schein at the New Jersey State Museum. He identified four fossil photos I sent about a month ago. I found him very helpful. His e-mail address is Jason.Schein@sos.state.nj.us Hope he can help you. Good day and best of luck hunting.

[non-remanié]

Thanks Jeff I will give Jason and Dave Parris at the NJSM a try!

[non-remanié]

The idea that these are seed pod fragments has now been thrown into. Any thoughts?