Pre/Cambrian Collection

[connorp]

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.

 

[Wrangellian]

Nice one!

[connorp]

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.

[connorp]

Last is a very nice association. A nearly complete Guangweicaris spinatus and a yet-to-be-identified trilobite.

 

 

[connorp]

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.

 

[connorp]

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.

 

[connorp]

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.

 

[Wrangellian]

Nice score? What is the diameter, or length (however you want to measure it)?

[connorp]

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.

[connorp]

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!

 

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Quite the collection you are building. 

That Leanchoilia is a stunning specimen. 

[connorp]

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.

[connorp]

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.

 

[connorp]

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.