Tom Hughes Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Dear all, I recently went for a trip to Wrens Nest and found this small, what I believe Dendroid Graptolite. It measures ~2cm (apologies for the poor quality of the image). If anyone could suggest a Sp. ID, or even if it is a Graptolite that would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
izak_ Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 Sure is I think so, nice find. BTW, this paper may be helpful - https://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/journals/17963/1387_complete.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 20, 2017 Share Posted December 20, 2017 I don't know, ... I get a bryozoan vibe from this. Maybe @TqB or @DE&i or @JohnBrewer will know. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Hughes Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 I was thinking Bryazoan, but the structure seems more Graptolite to me, however I'm struggling to find any information regarding Graptolites from this site, but a lot on Bryazoan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 I've not heard of and can't find reference to any dendroid graptolites from there and agree it's probably a bryozoan, something like this Reteporina psygma but better images would be needed. (From the Pal Soc Monograph, Snell, 2004, Bryozoa from the Much Wenlock Limestone.) Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taogan Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 I agree with Tarquin, I have never seen or collected graptolites from here but plenty of bryozoan fragments that look like this. It needs cleaning up a bit to get an ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamalama Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 The true test on whether this is a Graptolite or Bryozoan would be if the fossil is preserved as a black carbon film vs. calcitic replacement. Quick easy test would be to take something sharp, like a dental tool or pin, and scratch across part of it. If it flakes off then it's probably a Graptolite since they are typically found as carbon films. If it doesn't flake then it's calcitic preservation and thus more likely to be a bryozoan. If you don't want the invasive, potentially destructive method then look at it under a microscope. Carbon films will not show up as 3-D while calcitic preservation will. -Dave __________________________________________________ Geologists on the whole are inconsistent drivers. When a roadcut presents itself, they tend to lurch and weave. To them, the roadcut is a portal, a fragment of a regional story, a proscenium arch that leads their imaginations into the earth and through the surrounding terrain. - John McPheeIf I'm going to drive safely, I can't do geology. - John McPheeCheck out my Blog for more fossils I've found: http://viewsofthemahantango.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 No graptolites at Wrens Nest. I think bryozoan. John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Hughes Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Hey everyone, I've been avidly searching anything regarding dendroid graptolites being found at wrens nest because some part of me still believed it was - based on its morphology and film like appearance! I have news, I have just this moment stumbled across a book called 'Fossil plants - volume 2' by Albert c. Seward, with the following extract. What do people think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 the morphology ressembles that of Thallograptus arborescens (and Coremagraptus) slightly*/**,but algal and bryozoan is frankly just as likely .....I think there's no way to tell wihout at least more information on the taphonomy and at least an order of magnification higher. *Mind you: this is really unadulterated hubris. Morphology is often a poor pointer to systematic affinities in branching Paleozoic organisms **the stratigraphy and areal distribution of which I haven't even looked at Tomexperimpaleozscuphycolbotanyl2010.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Hughes Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Thank you for this in sight. Ill try and get some better pictures with a macro lens at a later date and see what shows up. Im not particularly knowledgable about graptolites or Bryazoan, but having slightly more knowledge in Graptolites that area it seemed liked the best place for me to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 8 hours ago, Tom Hughes said: Hey everyone, I've been avidly searching anything regarding dendroid graptolites being found at wrens nest because some part of me still believed it was - based on its morphology and film like appearance! I have news, I have just this moment stumbled across a book called 'Fossil plants - volume 2' by Albert c. Seward, with the following extract. What do people think? We didn't know it was a film - that certainly makes it more intriguing. As doushantuo says, many taxa branch like that - looking forward to more photos... Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Tarq,I suppose hydroid is totally out of the question? below:genuine 3dimensionally preserved graptolites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Could be but I don't think I'd be able to identify a hydroid. Those are magnificent graptolites - I've got one of the erratic Silurian limestone pebbles from the Polish coast that might do that if it was etched... Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Not beyond the realms of possibility ,because the ones i showed are from erratics in Germany. Wish i had those,they are indeed awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted November 28, 2018 Share Posted November 28, 2018 My guess is that the specimen in question is the bryozoa Pseudohornera. This one is from the Ordovician, courtesy of Fossilworks, but the genus does occur in the Wenlock Limestone of the Dudley area. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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