ID confirmation & help, please

[Dpaul7]

Hello!

 

I am attempting a few more identifications, and have a question or two!  First the questions!

1. Can one identify a shark genus with a vertebra?  Or a fish, for that matter?

2. Can one identify a ray by its stinger barb?

 

Now the fossils - DO I have these right?  (Or could I get ID help on some I have no idea?)

 

#1 & 2: Urosalpinx ?

 

The remaining: Crassostrea sculpturata?

 

[Miocene_Mason]

I’m useless with shells but I can help with your questions. Shark verts are not diagnostic usually, unless they are huge or associated with teeth. Fish can sometimes be IDed to a genus level by people more knowledgeable than myself. I also don’t think you can identify a Ray by it’s barb, I just label them “ray barb”. Hope some one can help with the shells!

[Dpaul7]

I MISSED PHOTO #2 - Here it is.

[ynot]

1 hour ago, Dpaul7 said:

1. Can one identify a shark genus with a vertebra?  Or a fish, for that matter?

Some ray and shark vert are oval, other than that no. Some fish verts are identifiable.

 

1 hour ago, Dpaul7 said:

2. Can one identify a ray by its stinger barb?

No, they are not diagnostic.

[Dpaul7]

Thank you, ynot!

[sixgill pete]

I believe you have #1 and #2 correct Urosalpinx sp. cf. U. cinerea. From the Pleistocene James City Formation

 

The oysters are Plicatula marginata a.k.a. kittenpaw oysters. Very common. Also from the James City.