Is This Coral?

[BLT]

Can anyone tell me whether or not this is a type of coral? I found it in my yard yesterday. (Middle Tennessee, Mississippian, St. Louis Limestone & Warsaw Limestone)

[FossilDAWG]

I'd say it is a coral, likely a Syringopora or something similar.  However the photos have weird contrast issues so it's a bit hard to be sure; they look like the fossil was under water or behind pebbled glass.  Usually that happens when they are "blown up" too much.  Clearer photos could yield a more confident ID.

 

Don

[BLT]

10 minutes ago, FossilDAWG said:

I'd say it is a coral, likely a Syringopora or something similar.  However the photos have weird contrast issues so it's a bit hard to be sure; they look like the fossil was under water or behind pebbled glass.  Usually that happens when they are "blown up" too much.  Clearer photos could yield a more confident ID.

 

Don

Thank you! And yeah, I guess I was zooming in much too closely.  I will try to take some clearer pics to post. 

[Nimravis]

You are finding quite a few things in your backyard.

 

I would try taking pictures outside with natural light, but not direct sunlight, it works pretty good for me.

[BLT]

Just now, Nimravis said:

You are finding quite a few things in your backyard.

 

I would try taking pictures outside with natural light, but not direct sunlight, it works pretty good for me.

Yeah, it’s fun exploring around here.

 

Will do! Thanks!

[Tidgy's Dad]

I think Lithostrotion.

Nice! 

[BLT]

9 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

I think Lithostrotion.

Nice! 

Thank you!

[TqB]

14 minutes ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

I think Lithostrotion.

Nice! 

I agree, except the branching ones are (annoyingly) called Siphonodendron and Diphyphyllum now (and there might be other American genera).

Lithostrotion is just the cerioid, "honeycomb" species of the group).

There's apparently too much structure for it to be the tabulate Syringopora.

[Tidgy's Dad]

7 minutes ago, TqB said:

I agree, except the branching ones are (annoyingly) called Siphonodendron and Diphyphyllum now (and there might be other American genera).

Lithostrotion is just the cerioid, "honeycomb" species of the group).

There's apparently too much structure for it to be the tabulate Syringopora.

Yes, the US Lithostrotionella and some Lithostrotion are now in Acrocyathus, but not sure about the rest! 

[Herb]

Coral, maybe Lithostrotionella sp as Tidgy's Dad says

[BLT]

1 hour ago, Herb said:

Coral, maybe Lithostrotionella sp as Tidgy's Dad says

Thanks!