1K Milestone! With one of my prized finds

[Mediospirifer]

Hey, all! I've reached 1000 posts of the Fossil Forum, and thought I should share one of my small but very cool finds.

 

This is a Vinlandostrophia brachiopod (species unknown), from southern Indiana. It's Upper Ordovician in age, from the Cincinnati Group. I'm not sure which formation it's from, as there are three exposed at the site, and I found it as surface float near the bottom of the slope. It could be either Waynesville, Liberty, or Arnheim.

 

While I have a handful of Vinlandostrophia in my collection, this one is pariticularly cool. Something took a large (relative to the size of the brach) bite out of it, but it survived and healed. This was not a small or simple notch; this was a large part of the shell margin removed. And yet, the critter survived, probably for several more years. There are several growth lines on the healed scar, at any rate.

 

Enjoy!

 

Brachial and Pedicle Valve views

 

Hinge and Aperture views

 

Normal and Pathological side views

 

 

 

[Jacob L]

That's an awesome find!

[FranzBernhard]

Thanks for sharing, I like those pathos!
Franz Bernhard

[Fossildude19]

Very cool!

This type of fossil and pathology are often overlooked. 

Thanks for posting this. 

Congratulations on post # 1000. 
I hope to see the next 1000.   

[digit]

Congrats on the 1,000 milestone!

 

 

Love the pathologicals as it gives that faint extra clue to something that happened to that individual before it was set in stone for you to find.

 

Cheers.

 

-Ken

[Heavy_D]

Awesome find. And congrats on the 1000.

[ynot]

Congratulations on the milestone and on the unique find.

[Miocene_Mason]

Congrats on the 1000!

And Awesome find, the predation is magnificent. I would never have been able to recognize that!

[Tidgy's Dad]

Congratulations on the 1,000th post and the awesome brachiopod. 

Smashing. 

[Peat Burns]

Very nice.  I think this is Platystrophia (Vinlandostrophia) cypha.

[Mediospirifer]

Thanks, folks! I'm glad to be a part of this great community, and (of course) I agree that this is a pretty impressive specimen, never mind that it's small. Good things can come in small packages, and this is a nearly-perfect brachiopod with a story to tell. I say "nearly perfect" because the 'wing' tip on the unbitten side has a slight chip out of it. (Did anyone notice?)

 

I really should put some of my finds into a Gallery. I have a lot to work with!

 

Thanks again for the Congrats!

 

[Ludwigia]