Mystery From The Windom Shale

[Mediospirifer]

Here's a piece from my Windom Shale (Middle Devonian) that I'd really like to identify. Anyone recognize it?

I can think of two possibilities, and I'm not sure where to look to be sure.

1) Fish coprolite

2) Worm

#1 seems more likely, somehow...

I think this was preserved inside one of the tubular pyrite nodules that are common in this shale. Whatever it is, it's interesting!

It's about 1 mm long.

Edited February 20, 2014 by Mediospirifer

[mikeymig]

It's hard to tell what it is but I don't think its a fish coprolite. Fish remains from the Windom are scarce. In NY it's upper or late Devonian deposits that have fish fossils. It was found in a pyrite nodule so maybe it's part of a burrow or feeding trail. Both are very common features in the Windom.

Mikey

[Mediospirifer]

It's hard to tell what it is but I don't think its a fish coprolite. Fish remains from the Windom are scarce. In NY it's upper or late Devonian deposits that have fish fossils. It was found in a pyrite nodule so maybe it's part of a burrow or feeding trail. Both are very common features in the Windom.

Mikey

I think it came out of a pyrite nodule. If so, the nodule crumbled before I saw it. The color is similar to the pyrite bits I've found, so I thought it a likely association.

My understanding of pyrite formation in shale is that it starts with an organic source, which the pyrite precipitates around to form a nodule, frequently with replacement. I can see that a burrow or feeding trace could produce a pyrite nodule if the critter that made it left a trail of slime or feces...

I might have to try soaking a few other nodules in peroxide to see if I get any other interesting bits and pieces!

Thanks for the input!

Edited February 21, 2014 by Mediospirifer