Devonian Fossil ID please.

[FossilDAWG]

Here is a figure of a claw of a Lower Devonian species, Pterygotus anglicus, from the Campbellton Formation, New Brunswick.

The paper is Miller, 2007. Pterygotus anglicus Agassiz (Chelicerata:Eurypterida) from Atholville, Lower Devonian Campbellton Formation, New Brunswick, Canada. Paleontology 50(4):981-999.

Don

Edited November 18, 2015 by FossilDAWG

[Fossildude19]

I found this on eBay sell, which is described as to be from Silurian: "Here is an extremely rare claw from the Acutiramus, a pterygotus eurypterid that once reached huge sizes. This claw is well preserved, from the Fiddler's green formation of New York. The claw has the distinct hook on the end that identifies the species." $(KGrHqNHJCUE7zPq)sl-BO-!mKVYRQ~~60_57.JPG

Thank You, Abyssunder!

I appreciate your finding a similar picture for me.

That helps alot.

Regards,

Here is a figure of a claw of a Lower Devonian species, Pterygotus anglicus, from the Campbellton Formation, New Brunswick.

Pterygotus anglicus claw.jpg

The paper is Miller, 2007. Pterygotus anglicus Agassiz (Chelicerata:Eurypterida) from Atholville, Lower Devonian Campbellton Formation, New Brunswick, Canada. Paleontology 50(4):981-999.

Don

Thanks Don. I had limited time to search this morning, But I see the resemblance quite easily now.

Thanks for providing the pics, and info.

Regards,

[dabbler]

Here is a plate from Copeland & Bolton 1979 (Fossils of Ontario Part 3: The Eurypterids and Phyllocarids):

pg 32 Copeland Bolton.jpg

Pterygotus seems like a possible generic ID.

The paper is available for download here.

Don

Hi Don,

This picture (Fig. H) clearly shows the claw. I just downloaded the paper as well. Thank you for your time!

Cheers

Korhan

[Fossildude19]

Hmm. Curioser and Curioser.

I just found a very similar claw structure, on a late Devonian crustacean.

Angustidontus seriatus.

I am still going with Eurypterid, but this bears further looking into, I think.

They have been found in British Columbia.

Very interesting.

Regards,

Edited November 18, 2015 by Fossildude19

[abyssunder]

I think Angustidontus seriatus fits perfectly! Kudos for you, Tim!

Edited November 18, 2015 by abyssunder

[piranha]

Hmm. Curioser and Curioser.

I just found a very similar claw structure, on a late Devonian crustacean.

Angustidontus.jpg

Angustidontus seriatus.

I am still going with Eurypterid, but this bears further looking into, I think.

They have been found in British Columbia.

Very interesting.

Regards,

I think this is much more reasonable than a eurptyerid. There are only 4 Devonian eurypterid species from Canada: Erieopterus from northeastern Canada, Pterygotus (2) from New Brunswick / Quebec and Stylonurus from Cornwallis Island. There are no records of eurypterids in British Columbia. My money is on Tim's look-alike from British Columbia: Angustidontus seriatus

[dabbler]

Hmm. Curioser and Curioser.

I just found a very similar claw structure, on a late Devonian crustacean.

Angustidontus.jpg

Angustidontus seriatus.

I am still going with Eurypterid, but this bears further looking into, I think.

They have been found in British Columbia.

Very interesting.

Regards,

This definitely looks like what I found!

I guess you nailed it Tim. Thank you!

I will upload a few other pictures that I found close to that sample...

[dabbler]

I think this is much more reasonable than a eurptyerid. There are only 4 Devonian eurypterid species from Canada: Erieopterus from northeastern Canada, Pterygotus (2) from New Brunswick / Quebec and Stylonurus from Cornwallis Island. There are no records of eurypterids in British Columbia. My money is on Tim's look-alike from British Columbia: Angustidontus seriatus

I agree that the figure 1 is Angustidontus seriatus. However, what do you think about figure 3? Could that be a part of a eurptyerid?

[dabbler]

Here are some extra images that looks similar to figure 1. They are pretty small, and thinner than a claw of eurypterid. Given that the Angustidontus is a small animal and has similar claws, it is more likely that the figure 1 is an Angustidontus.

[Fossildude19]

The paper I linked to said that when Angustidontus seratus are found, they are usually numerous in certain layers.

As far as Item 3 is concerned, placoderm armor is a possibility.

Regards,

[Ridgehiker]

Here's a few similar specimens of the arthropod and something 'sort of' resembling photo 9. They were all found on a backpack trip in an area of latest Devonian/ earliest Carboniferous shale near the Alberta/ BC border on a remote ridge. There were a lot of them in the area but no desire to lug around more than a couple ounces of rock. (Ha! Need food...want the pack lighter, not heavier after 3 days)

[FossilDAWG]

Angustidontus seems like a good possibility. I did not know about this critter. The paper says the maxillipeds are quite variable, and it is the mandibles that are most diagnostic of the species. Hopefully some mandibles will show up in the core.

One point against Pterygotus is that these eurypterids are generally quite large, and I think the specimens in question are much smaller.

Don

[Fossildude19]

Here's a few similar specimens of the arthropod and something 'sort of' resembling photo 9. They were all found on a backpack trip in an area of latest Devonian/ earliest Carboniferous shale near the Alberta/ BC border on a remote ridge. There were a lot of them in the area but no desire to lug around more than a couple ounces of rock. (Ha! Need food...want the pack lighter, not heavier after 3 days)

Nice examples! Thanks for posting them.

Regards,

Angustidontus seems like a good possibility. I did not know about this critter. The paper says the maxillipeds are quite variable, and it is the mandibles that are most diagnostic of the species. Hopefully some mandibles will show up in the core.

One point against Pterygotus is that these eurypterids are generally quite large, and I think the specimens in question are much smaller.

Don

Don,

Thanks for your comments. The size was one of the things I was not comfortable with, as well.

Regards,

EDIT: Thanks again to Dabbler for bringing these fossils to our attention. It has been a very interesting learning experience for me.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Fossildude19

[Auspex]

Very, very interesting thread! Lotsa' new thinking