Peat Burns Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 UPDATE: This specimen has been identified by Steve LoDuca as Thalassocystis striata, a non-calcareous Silurian macroalga. Interestingly, the type specimen was found in the same general locality as my specimen. I have a friend who works in a Silurian dolomite quarry in Mich. He sent me this pic this evening. I have not examined the rock in person yet. The pessimist in me says mineral deposits. The optimist in me says maybe fossil algae. It's a long shot considering dolomitized limestone... but it sure looks interesting... thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 It does look organic, doesn't it? But i agree, the pessimist in me says mineralogical. I'm not sure and the optimist is hopeful. How big is it , please? Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 Just now, Tidgy's Dad said: It does look organic, doesn't it? But i agree, the pessimist in me says mineralogical. I'm not sure and the optimist is hopeful. How big is it , please? Thanks TD. Unfortunately what I have included is all I have at the moment. I was just kind of excited about it and thought I would share and get early input. I should have more information regarding size and other details tomorrow. And then hopefully be able to examine it in hand once it arrives in the mail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 The preservation is consistent with other Silurian algae, something similar to Buthotrephis or Inocaulis. Here is an excellent paper: LoDuca, S.T., Bykova, N., Wu, M., Xiao, S., & Zhao, Y. (2017) Seaweed morphology and ecology during the great animal diversification events of the early Paleozoic: A tale of two floras. Geobiology, 15:588-616 PDF LINK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 2 minutes ago, piranha said: The preservation is consistent with other Silurian algae, something similar to Buthotrephis or Inocaulis. Here is an excellent paper: LoDuca, S.T., Bykova, N., Wu, M., Xiao, S., & Zhao, Y. (2017) Seaweed morphology and ecology during the great animal diversification events of the early Paleozoic: A tale of two floras. Geobiology, 15:588-616 PDF LINK Oh boy. I'll be a very happy camper if this turns out to be algae. I'm gonna read the paper you linked now. Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 10 minutes ago, piranha said: LoDuca, S.T., Bykova, N., Wu, M., Xiao, S., & Zhao, Y. (2017) Seaweed morphology and ecology during the great animal diversification events of the early Paleozoic: A tale of two floras. Geobiology, 15:588-616 PDF LINK One of the formations in the paper (Schoolcraft) is listed as an algal lagerstatte. That formation is part of the same group from which the specimen came. Encouraging! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Send the photo to Steve LoDuca, he will know which species you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 Just now, piranha said: Send the photo to Steve LoDuca, he will know which species you have. I will do that. Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 9 hours ago, Peat Burns said: The optimist in me says maybe fossil algae. Nice acquisition! Congratulations on the rare piece. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Please let us know the verdict (I think it looks good, but it's past my turn to be wrong...). "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 6 hours ago, ynot said: Nice acquisition! Congratulations on the rare piece. Thank you. Very exciting. 2 hours ago, Auspex said: Please let us know the verdict (I think it looks good, but it's past my turn to be wrong...). I will definitely post an update. I didn't get a chance to send out an email inquiry today, but I hope to this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 UPDATE: This specimen has been identified by Steve LoDuca as Thalassocystis striata, a non-calcareous Silurian macroalga. Interestingly, the type specimen was found in the same general locality as my specimen. Thank you @piranha for the contact info! I'm very pleased to add this specimen and taxon to the collection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Congratulations! Great find. 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...
Peat Burns Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Just now, Fossildude19 said: Congratulations! Great find. Thank you! I'm ecstatic about this. It's the first non-calcareous palaeozoic alga in the collection. I need to get U.P. there and look for more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 4 minutes ago, Peat Burns said: It's the first non-calcareous palaeozoic alga in the collection. Congratulations!! Nice and rare piece to add to Your collection. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nimravis Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 That’s a great piece Tony and a nice addition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Just now, ynot said: Congratulations!! Nice and rare piece to add to Your collection. Thank you, Tony. This one will go on public display for everyone to enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Nimravis said: That’s a great piece Tony and a nice addition. Thanks Ralph. Now all we need is to get yours identified. Maybe you should also contact LoDuca? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Peat Burns said: Thank you, Tony. This one will go on public display for everyone to enjoy Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 You must be pleased as punch,Peat. Silurian lagerstatte are rare in North America! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 5 minutes ago, doushantuo said: You must be pleased as punch,Peat. Silurian lagerstatte are rare in North America! I am. I feel a little childish getting so excited about such things, but I can't help it. I work regularly with living marine macroalgae from South Florida and have shelves of them in spirits, but I never imagined that I'd be holding one from the *middle Silurian* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 On 4/17/2018 at 12:37 AM, Peat Burns said: UPDATE: This specimen has been identified by Steve LoDuca as Thalassocystis striata, a non-calcareous Silurian macroalga. Interestingly, the type specimen was found in the same general locality as my specimen. Fantastic! I am happy for you (and quite jealous). "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piranha Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 54 minutes ago, Peat Burns said: UPDATE: This specimen has been identified by Steve LoDuca as Thalassocystis striata, a non-calcareous Silurian macroalga. Interestingly, the type specimen was found in the same general locality as my specimen. Thank you @piranha for the contact info! I'm very pleased to add this specimen and taxon to the collection! I'm surprised to hear Thalassocystis striata. The figures from LoDuca et al. 2017 and Taggart & Parker 1976 look quite different to my untrained eye. It pays to call the expert... Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 This is quite the coup, @Peat Burns! You have every reason to feel excited! ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peat Burns Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 10 minutes ago, Auspex said: Fantastic! I am happy for you (and quite jealous). Thanks Auspex. If I find more / enough this summer, perhaps I can send you one Just now, piranha said: I'm surprised to hear Thalassocystis striata. The figures from LoDuca et al. 2017, and Taggart & Parker 1976 look quite different to my untrained eye. It pays to call the expert... Congrats! Yes, I was surprised, too. I'm not seeing the apical bladders . I thought Inocaulus and Buthotrephis looked like better matches (although the latter has micro "tubules" that don't appear present in mine). But he's the expert. I'll put his name on the label so he can take all credit or blame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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