Devonian Brachiopod

[Peat Burns]

Here is a large brachiopod I found recently at Paulding, OH.  Distinguishing Megastrophia from Stropheodonta titan can be difficult, but I think this one is S. titan due to its low profile.  The side shown here is largely exposed, but the other side was covered in matrix.  Unfortunately, this field photo is the only "before" photo I took.

 

 

I decided to leave this one on a pedestal of matrix.  The matrix was really sticky.  The bulk would pop off with the scribe, but a thin layer clinged to the shell.  So rather than scratch up the shell with a pin vice or take hours blasting it, I prepped this one chemically with KOH flakes.  About 80% of the "prep" was done chemically.  The Silica Shale is rich in organics, and the KOH turns the shale into mud.  I made several applications on the thick areas of matrix.  Final procedure included reversal of the base by a quick dip in 5% glacial acetic acid and then a good soak in water.

 

Here's the result.

 

 

[Peat Burns]

 

 

[Caution:  KOH is caustic, and even an open container produces fumes that can burn your lungs.  I worked in a fume hood.  If no fume hood, outdoors or in an extremely well ventilated area is recommended]

[Darktooth]

Nice work and beautiful specimen!

[minnbuckeye]

Lovely, especially with a bit of  retained matrix!

[RJB]

Im not a brach guy so this to me seems like a lot of work for a brach.  Is it a rare one?   I do like it on the matrix though. 

 

RB

[Innocentx]

48 minutes ago, RJB said:

Im not a brach guy so this to me seems like a lot of work for a brach.

If brachiopods are mostly all you got then you gotta love em. I do.

 

Nice work, @Peat Burns.

[doushantuo]

Love your new monicker:"brachiopod enthousiast"

BTW:Humongously nice specimen

[Peat Burns]

4 hours ago, Darktooth said:

Nice work and beautiful specimen!

Thank you 

3 hours ago, minnbuckeye said:

Lovely, especially with a bit of  retained matrix!

Thanks Mike 

2 hours ago, RJB said:

Im not a brach guy so this to me seems like a lot of work for a brach.  Is it a rare one?   I do like it on the matrix though. 

 

RB

Yeah, I can appreciate that sentiment.  My collecting focuses on assemblages.  While I have my personal subjective biases in terms of "favorite" types of fossils, my collecting applies equal value to each taxon at each site.  I like to have at least a few of each taxon properly prepped to show features, etc.  The rest I leave "farm fresh" due to time constraints.  This specimen is my first S. titan, so it got some priority .  The nice thing is that this method, when applicable, requires very little effort. You sprinkle on the KOH and "set it and forget it".  Then "rinse and repeat" as necessary 

59 minutes ago, Innocentx said:

If brachiopods are mostly all you got then you gotta love em. I do.

 

Nice work, @Peat Burns.

Thank you 

[Peat Burns]

9 minutes ago, doushantuo said:

Love you new monicker:"brachiopod enthousiast"

BTW:Humongously nice specimen

Thanks dou.  I usually use my phone and can't see my moniker.  One time i used my computer and i noticed it said "brachiopod aficianado".  Either I have Alzheimer's and forgot I did that (not likely) or one of the moderators kindly gave me too much credit and put that on there.  I'm definitely not an aficianado, just an active, enthusiastic learner, so I quickly made the appropriate adjustment!

[doushantuo]

love the ornament,which is why i am reading:

[Tidgy's Dad]

Most smashing speciemen! 

Congratulations and a super prep job and great photos. 

I can tell how much you love it and are proud . 

So would I be. 

[RJB]

21 hours ago, Peat Burns said:

Yeah, I can appreciate that sentiment.  My collecting focuses on assemblages.  While I have my personal subjective biases in terms of "favorite" types of fossils, my collecting applies equal value to each taxon at each site.  I like to have at least a few of each taxon properly prepped to show features, etc.  The rest I leave "farm fresh" due to time constraints.  This specimen is my first S. titan, so it got some priority .  The nice thing is that this method, when applicable, requires very little effort. You sprinkle on the KOH and "set it and forget it".  Then "rinse and repeat" as necessary

Ok, I understand better now.  We all seem to have our 'thing' when it comes to fossils.

 

RB

[Fossildude19]

Great brachiopod fossil! 

I enjoy seeing different epibionts on invertebrate fossils.   

Is that Aulopora sp on the pedicle valve? 

Great prep as well. 

Thanks for posting this. 

[Peat Burns]

On 4/30/2018 at 12:27 PM, Tidgy's Dad said:

Most smashing speciemen! 

Congratulations and a super prep job and great photos. 

I can tell how much you love it and are proud . 

So would I be. 

Thanks, Adam.  "Smashing"... I love it.  So British 

16 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Great brachiopod fossil! 

I enjoy seeing different epibionts on invertebrate fossils.   

Is that Aulopora sp on the pedicle valve? 

Great prep as well. 

Thanks for posting this. 

Thank you. Yes, that is Aulopora!

 

There's also Hederella all over the opposite valve as well as Philhedra crenistriata. They are visible in the pic if you zoom in.

 

So few brachiopods get prepped.  They make fine looking specimens when all cleaned up

[doushantuo]

Need i post this?