Brachiopod identification needed.

[Gary Kindel]

Looking to for an identification of this brachiopod.  I bought it from a collector selling his collection 35 years ago. 

Unfornately I can't narrow the location more than the southwestern United States.  Time period: Phanerozic, probably Paleozoic.

Edited February 25, 2018 by Gary Kindel

[RyanDye]

Very interesting, if the location can be discovered great! However, without that vital information I am afraid only someone with many years of experience would be able to tell you what it is. Luckily there are lots of those people here so I'm sure you will get an idea of what it is from someone in the community. Good luck! 

[Tidgy's Dad]

It seems to be the internal mold of a spiriferid brachiopod. 

[caldigger]

I have something of a similar shape. Although mine is from Ordovician Ohio and not the southwest.

Not saying it is one, but look at this one for comparison I recieved from our late member J. Cox, PHD. (he would never let me leave out the Doctor part!).

Mine is a stunning pyrite Vinlandastophia ponderosa. 

It really sparkles beautifully!

[Tidgy's Dad]

2 hours ago, caldigger said:

I have something of a similar shape. Although mine is from Ordovician Ohio and not the southwest.

Not saying it is one, but look at this one for comparison I recieved from our late member J. Cox, PHD. (he would never let me leave out the Doctor part!).

Mine is a stunning pyrite Vinlandastophia ponderosa. 

It really sparkles beautifully!

A truly beautiful thing. 

[Peat Burns]

Looks like a spirifered.  Similar In form to Paraspirifer bownockeri.  Not sure though.

[Peat Burns]

4 hours ago, caldigger said:

I have something of a similar shape. Although mine is from Ordovician Ohio and not the southwest.

Not saying it is one, but look at this one for comparison I recieved from our late member J. Cox, PHD. (he would never let me leave out the Doctor part!).

Mine is a stunning pyrite Vinlandastophia ponderosa. 

It really sparkles beautifully!

Are you sure that's not a Paraspirifer bownockeri from the Silica Formation?  Jim (God rest his soul - good man he was) might have gotten his locations mixed up.  Vinlandostrophia has plications on the fold and sulcus.

[caldigger]

55 minutes ago, Peat Burns said:

Are you sure that's not a Paraspirifer bownockeri from the Silica Formation?  Jim (God rest his soul - good man he was) might have gotten his locations mixed up.  Vinlandostrophia has plications on the fold and sulcus.

He gave it to me with the label:

Vinlandastrophia ponderosa

McMillan / Ordovician

Keener Park

Butler Co., Ohio

If this is not right, I would appreciate a correct labeling.

[Peat Burns]

6 minutes ago, caldigger said:

He gave it to me with the label:

Vinlandastrophia ponderosa

McMillan / Ordovician

Keener Park

Butler Co., Ohio

If this is not right, I would appreciate a correct labeling.

I'm sure it is not Vinlandostrophia ponderosa.  I'm 99% sure it is Paraspirifer bownockeri. Probably from the middle Devonian Silica Formation (it's even pyritized like Silica fossils).  My guess is that it came from the Sylvania, Ohio, area (although there are Silica deposits in Michigan (e.g. Milan) and in other parts of Ohio (e.g. Paulding).  Definitely not from Keehner park or the Cincinnati region. Hope this helps! 

[caldigger]

Can't help but paraphrase a line from Star Trek.

"Darn it Jim, I'm a doctor not a paleontologist!"

 

Thank you for your clarification. I just googled images and you are spot on.

[Peat Burns]

44 minutes ago, caldigger said:

Can't help but paraphrase a line from Star Trek.

"Darn it Jim, I'm a doctor not a paleontologist!"

 

Thank you for your clarification. I just googled images and you are spot on.

Love me some original series Star Trek .  Glad to help!

[Shamalama]

11 hours ago, Peat Burns said:

I'm sure it is not Vinlandostrophia ponderosa.  I'm 99% sure it is Paraspirifer bownockeri. Probably from the middle Devonian Silica Formation (it's even pyritized like Silica fossils).  My guess is that it came from the Sylvania, Ohio, area (although there are Silica deposits in Michigan (e.g. Milan) and in other parts of Ohio (e.g. Paulding).  Definitely not from Keehner park or the Cincinnati region. Hope this helps! 

Peat is correct, that appears to be a P. bownockeri from the Silica Shale. I have many from that formation and they look just like your specimen.

[Shamalama]

17 hours ago, Gary Kindel said:

Looking to for an identification of this brachiopod.  I bought it from a collector selling his collection 35 years ago. 

Unfornately I can't narrow the location more than the southwestern United States.  Time period: Phanerozic, probably Paleozoic.

 

I could be wrong but that looks like the internal mold of a Paraspirifer bownockeri. I'm not familiar with any Southwest localities for that species but the preservation reminds me of the Mahantango formation in PA or Skaneateles formation in NY. Both formations are contemporaneous and mid-Devonian age.  Check out this page and compare the preservation and shape with the specimens that are labelled Paraspirifer bownockeri from the Mahantango formation of PA.

[Gary Kindel]

I hadn't considered that it was an internal mold of a brachiopod.    I have never seen one before.  

 

I may have the location wrong.  Unfortunately it was a hand written label that I lost along time ago.

The specimen does look similar to those from Mahantango formation of PA (thanks Dave.)

 

I guess for now, I'll label the piece as Mold of Paraspirifer bownockeri?  location: PA?, USA

Thanks everyone.