JerryB Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 My daughter found this fossil in a creek bed this morning. Can anyone tell me anything about it? What it is? How common? etc. It is on a stone approx. one foot sq. and the fossil itself is approx. eight inches long. Really well defined as you can see. Thanks for any info!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 It is an orthocone, or straight shelled nautiloid. These are fairly common in Iowa. Nice find. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Also, if you can tell us what county/city in Iowa it was found in, we might be able to narrow down the age of the specimen. Geologic Bedrock Map of Iowa. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryB Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share Posted October 27, 2014 Thanks Tim! Daughter and Grandson were out looking this morning! It was in Clayton county, near Strawberry but not sure exactly where. Told them that I got to go with them next time. Any info about age or anything would be great! Thanks, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 Jerry, Depending on where in Clayton county they were, it could be Ordovician or Silurian in age, as Clayton county has both time periods represented. You might check out this link as well. Regards, Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryB Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share Posted October 27, 2014 Thanks again! I'm busy reading on the links you sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 To be more specific with the ID, your specimen (the larger one) appears to be an actinocerid nautiloid, indicated by the large siphuncle and thickened cameral deposits. The most common/widespread Ordovician genus is Actinoceras, which I think is a good fit for your specimen. However, there are also other genera in the Ordovician, and Silurian forms including Huronia that might be considered. Your specimen is quite good, a natural longitudinal section that shows the internal features well. If you could post a more close up photo with a ruler for scale I might be able to be more definitive about the ID. There is a smaller nautiloid on the slab, beside the first, but I can't see features that would suggest an ID on that one. Don 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lissa318 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) I see the smaller one next to it as well and congrats to your daughter on a fun find!!! Edited October 28, 2014 by lissa318 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryB Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 I have to go out of town today but will try to get pictures tomorrow. Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwise Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 Great find, congratulations to your daughter! Thanks for your help in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryB Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Guess my daughter was a little off when she guessed on size. More like 4 1/2 to 5 inches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now