Some Carboniferous Jaw dropping.

[fossilcrazy]

I've been going through my Pennsylvanian Cannel Coal and have identified a few partial finds. The jaws of a Fish, Amphibian and possible Reptile.

Click on the pictures to enlarge for detail.

The fish jaw is that of Rhabdoderma elegans with a neat "fingerprint" pattern on the exterior side.

The next is an amphibian jaw of Sauropleura pectinata.

Last is the jaw of a possible Microsaur.

To this day, I'm still amazed at the detail the coal can save of these ancient creatures of over 300 million years ago.

[Auspex]

Wow.

Your stash continues to amaze!

[Troodon]

Wow is right, what a spectacular specimen, congratulations it's a super find

[Fossildude19]

Amazing finds, John!

The level of detail is quite remarkable.

Thanks for posting this.

Regards,

[JimB88]

[old bones]

Wow, wow, wow! Those are fantastic. The detail on the teeth... incredible!

[Ridgehiker]

Those are some of the neatest Carboniferous specimens I have ever seen.

Yes ...incredible they can preserve with such exquisite detail. The 'millions' of years are hard to relate to.

[fifbrindacier]

[vonfatman]

You are right, the preservation is outstanding.

Thanks for sharing. I enjoy them.

Bob

[Wrangellian]

Impressive finds John. Do you find the usual Coal flora there as well, and any inverts? (I know not as interesting as the verts but I like to know more about the whole ecosystem)

[fossilcrazy]

Impressive finds John. Do you find the usual Coal flora there as well, and any inverts? (I know not as interesting as the verts but I like to know more about the whole ecosystem)

Yes Wrangellian, fragments of ferns, Stigmaria, Sigillaria, Lepidodendron, Spore Pods, Cordaites and strange Seaweed like fractals; can be found. They are unremarkable patterns in the coal. Impressions in stone look much better than Linton coal plants. I save distinguishable specimens to remind me where the spores come from. The few inverts, I find are Arthropods that are shrimplike and insects. In some layers these "Shiny Shrimp" just blanket the coal.

[Wrangellian]

Yes I realize things are not as well preserved in coal.

I'm curious to see those shrimp, have you posted them anywhere?

[Fossildude19]

Yes I realize things are not as well preserved in coal.

I'm curious to see those shrimp, have you posted them anywhere?

Eric,

HERE you go!

Also, some of the plates are littered with "clam Shrimp" - conchostrachans.

Regards,

[RJB]

Very Cool!

RB

[Wrangellian]

Eric,

HERE you go!

Also, some of the plates are littered with "clam Shrimp" - conchostrachans.

Regards,

Thanks Tim.

[DinoMike]

These are amazing! And for some reason, they just made me think of the old Aurora "Jungle Swamp" model kit from their Prehistoric Scenes line...

[LordTrilobite]

Nothing short of stupendous.

[fifbrindacier]

They are very nice fossils, thanks to have posted those photos.

[ynot]

Tony