connorp Posted April 26, 2019 Author Share Posted April 26, 2019 One of the more exotic specimens I've acquired. This is Sinocylindra yunnanensis, a tubiform algae from the Lower Cambrian Hongjingshao formation. Most other algae in my collection are just preserved as monotonic iron oxide stains, so I am a big fan of the distinct morphology of this specimen. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted April 26, 2019 Share Posted April 26, 2019 Nice one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 I received a nice shipment of fossils today. I’m only posting a few here, as I want to prep the rest out before posting. The ones here are probably the best they’ll get. First up is a pair of Cotyledion tylodes. They are classified as early stem group entoprocts. These are easily one of my favorite fossils from Chengjiang, as there are not many sessile organisms present in the record. Next is a vetulicolian with a complete carapace and a partial “tail.” Haven’t had time to look into the exact species but will do so this week. Here is a very large chancelloriid plate. They were originally classified as sponges but that is no longer the consensus. No one really is sure what these interesting creatures are. Again, still not sure what species, but the family is large so I’m not sure I’ll find an answer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Last is a very nice association. A nearly complete Guangweicaris spinatus and a yet-to-be-identified trilobite. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 This thing on the association plate has a vague resemblance to the back half of an arthropod. If it is, it’s too incomplete to identify however. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted June 1, 2019 Author Share Posted June 1, 2019 A basically complete Fuxianhuia protensa from the Heilinpu Formation. There’s some damage but it was so complete I had to have it. You don’t see complete ones often, most specimens are very fragmentary. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted June 16, 2019 Author Share Posted June 16, 2019 This is certainly my “find of the month.” Seller didn’t know what he had, so I snagged this guy for only $7! The few I’ve seen go for at least ten times that. Branchiocaris sp. (yunnanensis?) The right side was destroyed somewhat unfortunately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Nice score? What is the diameter, or length (however you want to measure it)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted June 17, 2019 Author Share Posted June 17, 2019 21 hours ago, Wrangellian said: Nice score? What is the diameter, or length (however you want to measure it)? About 4 cm at the widest point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted June 24, 2019 Author Share Posted June 24, 2019 This a double first for me. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this for weeks. A complete Leanchoilia, that has both the positive and negative plate and has a complete appendage preserved! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Quite the collection you are building. That Leanchoilia is a stunning specimen. 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted July 15, 2019 Author Share Posted July 15, 2019 Back when I had saltwater fish tanks, I was always obsessed with the purple vase sponge. I thought it was one of the most beautiful animals on this planet, and still do. I tried to keep a few, but if you know anything about marine aquaria, you may know that sponges are incredibly difficult to keep alive. Alas, I eventually gave up. But now, I feel confident in saying that I own the fossil sponge that reminds me most of these magnificent creatures. Several hours of prep later, and I present Leptomitus teretiusculus, from the Heilinpu Fm. I've never seen these for sale before, but as luck would have it, I found two this month! The next one will be here in a week or so I hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 This is a neat piece of history. This exact Misszhouia specimen was the one that first drew attention to the Chengjiang biota. Kinda crazy how this one guy led to decades of exploration of one of the world's most important fossil sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connorp Posted July 17, 2019 Author Share Posted July 17, 2019 Another neat fact about Misszhouia. There is a lot of doubt that even large anomalocaridids could break through trilobite shells with their oral disk. However, they probably could easily slice through the soft bodies of naraoiids. Here is what is reported as the first known healed injury from the Chengjiang biota. Possibly an anomalocaridid, but maybe some other great predator we still haven't found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now