Echinoid fragment Desoto County Florida

[Plantguy]

Hey Gang, I've had a good couple of weeks with hunting and part of the fun was running across this creek fragment. Approx 20 mm high and 70mm X 40mm wide--seems to be robust/biscuit like and rather large. Maybe I've got 20-25% of the test. Unfortunately the slice is very acute as it cut thru the specimen and may be impossible to ID lacking many important test features but I'm wondering if any of you Peace River and creek and Bone Valley folks have run across anything similar? 2nd and 3rd photos are oriented with the opening/periproct? at the bottom of the photos. Other photo angles provided to give a sense of thickness and general shape. Any feedback/thoughts are appreciated. Thanks. Regards, Chris 

Edited February 14, 2017 by Plantguy
Wrong county!! ooops...Desoto not Hardee

[MikeR]

Could it be a misplaced Eupatagus?

[Al Dente]

Looks like Rhyncholampas to me.

[Plantguy]

Thanks guys. I really don't know....I was thinking only Abertella and Encope when I was digging as I thought that was the only thing I had any chance of finding given the locale and I was presuming its miocene or younger in age. But then this chubbier thing showed up. I haven't seen enough eupatagus but will go looking for some images descriptions...think I also have some poorly preserved ones from cemex.  I like the Rhyncholampus idea and have a boatload of those from Vulcan in brooksville but I dismissed it maybe prematurely cause of the size and oligocene age...is there a Rhyncholampus that's miocenepliocene in age?...Im thinking I actually dug this out of the creek bottom...would have stayed for more but I was literally shaking pretty badly from the cool water up to my chest and being in the shade most of the morning so i thought I had to pack it in....I know I'm a wuss...lol.

I appreciate the thoughts...I shot Roger some photos too..I suspect I might need to find something more complete and be able to prove it was insitu...if I get anything more I'll let u know. thanks! regards, Chris

[doushantuo]

I know for a fact Eupatagus *is in here.

wigg

NB:Large file!!

*and other Tertiary echinoids,BTW

 

[Al Dente]

Florida has several species of Rhyncholampas ranging from the Eocene to Plio/Pleistocene.

[Plantguy]

Havent had the chance to get into the research much but as it was easy I did yank out the largest Rhyncholampus I had from Vulcan Brooksville knowing that its an Oligocene critter to compare the unknown against. Its about 5cm and you can see how much larger the fragment is. I also did see that R. evergladensis is rather large too at 7cm. Here are some shots of the unknown against the Rhyncholampus from Vulcan.

More this weekend when I get some more cycles. 

 

Ok since I havent taken this thread off topic too much yet here are a couple of other things that came out of the creek where the echy was that distracted me. A nice Tapir tooth crown and an almost perfect small Meg. 

Thanks again for the help. 

Regards, Chris