Fossil sand dollar?

[autographcollector11]

 Hi all 

 OK, this is an interesting one. Attached are images of the Sandollar that was found on the California coast. It is broken, but I'm curious if it is fossilized.It is extremely hard, and feels like stone. I have many Sandollar's that are extremely fragile, however this one is heavy, lacks all the brittleness that one would find in a newer Sandollar. What are the signs to look for if fossilized?  I took the best pictures that I could, hope they will work. 

thx

 

[Rockwood]

I'm not an expert on these, and I've never been to California, but I think you just described how to determine modern from fossil quite well. 

[Al Dente]

It is Dendraster excentricus. The food grooves on your specimen are dark. Most of my modern specimens have dark food grooves which I think might be due to organic remains. That makes me think yours is modern.

[RJB]

I have found hundreds of the fossilized Scuttelasters and a few of the Dendrasters in years past, and that one looks very modern to me. 

 

RB

 

 

[fifbrindacier]

I don't think it's fossilized, because if so, it wouldn't be empty.

[ynot]

I agree with a recent shell, does not look fossil to Me.

[Rockwood]

Just how heavy and how hard is it ? Wouldn't the answer outweigh what the appearance suggests ? 

Fossil sand dollars can be quite hollow. 

[Coco]

Hi,

 

OK with Dendraster excentricus, and OK for recent specimen. Good observation Fifbrindacier !

 

Coco

[fifbrindacier]

On 24 décembre 2016 at 5:34 PM, Coco said:

Hi,

 

OK with Dendraster excentricus, and OK for recent specimen. Good observation Fifbrindacier !

 

Coco

Merci beaucoup Madame.

[Guguita2104]

Yes, it looks modern, indeed.However, that's a really interesting specimen, that you can use to study  fossil clypeasteroids' morphology.

Regards,