TNCollector Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 This shell was found in-situ in a late Oligocene formation. The site represents a shallow tropical near-shore environment in what is now the Gulf of Mexico. What is strange to me is the unusual marking on it that I have not been able to determine the identity of. I want to say that it is a bite mark from something, but I really have no idea as this is really not my area of expertise. Edit: I am not referring to the borehole produced by a predatory snail, but the scratch marks near it. I figured that it would at least make for an interesting conversation. The shell measures about 2" across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herb Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 baby raptor "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"_ Carl Sagen No trees were killed in this posting......however, many innocent electrons were diverted from where they originally intended to go. " I think, therefore I collect fossils." _ Me "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."__S. Holmes "can't we all just get along?" Jack Nicholson from Mars Attacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 I used to find a lot of clams back in the day and I dont remember seeing any scratch marks like that? I can see that your clam was murdered buy a meat eatin gastropod though. RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNCollector Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 Agreed. I have found many of these shells, funny thing is that almost all of them met the same fate. Perhaps some kind of fish bit it? I just really don't know what else could have bit into it hard enough to leave such a scratch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mediospirifer Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 I have a few shells with thin, linear gouges. I've always taken them to be worm burrows, specifically since they never fully penetrate the shell. Two are shown in this post: LINK. Scroll down past the coprolites and gastroliths to find them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.