Squished Conularid?

[Jeffrey P]

I have here what I suspect may be a squished conularid, but I'm not certain. It is from the Middle Devonian Oatkacreek Formation, a Marcellus Shale member, Hamilton Group, from near Morrisville, NY. Thank you for your help.

[TNCollector]

I would agree with your ID. You can see three of the four sides of the "box", with the fourth one likely underneath.

[fossilized6s]

It looks almost too three dimensional to me and it doesn't have the distinctive zig-zag pattern. The pattern seems to be just ever so slightly wavey. Just my two cents. I would look into other candidates before labeling it.

[Jeffrey P]

Thanks guys.

[Carl]

I can't really claim to know conularids well, but this doesn't strike me as one. The line spacing is too irregular and the waviness would have to necessitate some very special crushing. I think it is more consistent with the strutcure of a mollusk personally.

[Fossildude19]

I'm with Carl.

The ornamentation puts me in mind of a gastropod - something akin to some species of Platyceras , maybe.

Neat find, Jeff!

Regards,

[tmaier]

I also have trouble seeing a conularid, and spent a half hour looking around to propose some alternative, but I can't find anything to contend with it. I looked through Devonian bivalves and brachiopods, and came up with no viable alternatives.

[Fossildude19]

Jeff,

Here are some pictures to illustrate what I'm talking about.

Taken from This website page.

Regards,

[Jeffrey P]

Thanks guys. I know this form is a bit puzzling. Three years ago I found a similar form in the Dave Elliot Bed in the Mount Marion Formation (Middle Devonian) near Kingston. I initially thought it was a Platyceras gastropod but when I presented it to the local paleontologist who had carefully studied and written about the fauna of the Dave Elliot bed he immediately identified it as a conularid. I know this piece doesn't present the typical form of the creature. I am pretty familiar with the mollusks and brachiopods of this formation and it doesn't match any of them as far as I can tell. If it is not a conularid I would appreciate some specific feedback as to what it is.

PS- Tim, some of those Platyceras gastropods do look a bit similar in markings, but again we're talking about a very squished example.

Edited April 28, 2016 by Jeffrey P

[tmaier]

Also, platyceras is highly arched and yours is not...

So Conularia it is, by default.

[Fossildude19]

Thanks guys. I know this form is a bit puzzling. Three years ago I found a similar form in the Dave Elliot Bed in the Mount Marion Formation (Middle Devonian) near Kingston. I initially thought it was a Platyceras gastropod but when I presented it to the local paleontologist who had carefully studied and written about the fauna of the Dave Elliot bed he immediately identified it as a conularid. I know this piece doesn't present the typical form of the creature. I am pretty familiar with the mollusks and brachiopods of this formation and it doesn't match any of them as far as I can tell. If it is not a conularid I would appreciate some specific feedback as to what it is.

PS- Tim, some of those Platyceras gastropods do look a bit similar in markings, but again we're talking about a very squished example.

Jeff,

You'll have to try to remember to bring it with you the next time we get together.

I'd like to see it in person.

Regards,

[doushantuo]

http://rbg.sbgeo.org.br/index.php/rbg/article/viewFile/904/597

[Jeffrey P]

Jeff,

You'll have to try to remember to bring it with you the next time we get together.

I'd like to see it in person.

Regards,

Tim,

I'll try to remember to bring it on the 15th, that and perhaps a few other interesting finds. Will likely have a good show and tell thing happening.

[Jeffrey P]

http://rbg.sbgeo.org.br/index.php/rbg/article/viewFile/904/597

Thanks for the article. I'll check it out.