DPS Ammonite Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I found this 4.75 inch long silicified sponge? branch after dissolving a large piece of the Permian (Leonardian) Fort Apache Limestone from the Schnebly Hill Formation east of Payson, Arizona in four gallons of pool acid. Only about five percent of the fossil was exposed. The outer part is denser than the sometimes nearly hollow interior. One cross section shows two tubular structures with denser edges. No organized patterns suggesting a bryozoa or coral branch are present. Do you think that this is a piece of a branching sponge? Top photo: cross section is 1 inch. @Arizona Chris Branch is 4.75 inches long. Bottom photo: cross section is 0.5 inch across. 1 My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrangellian Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I will defer to the real experts but I will say that my money is on sponge. It looks right to me - I've got extant sponges that look a lot like that (overall shape). Nice job dissolving it out of the rock, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Very nice indeed. Yes, I also say sponge. Good job. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TqB Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Pretty definitely a sponge, you've got a lovely range of spicules there! (enlarged and tweaked): Tarquin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scylla Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Nice sponge, could you take a picture of it with a scale? I'm just curious how big a fossil it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifbrindacier Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I agree with a nice sponge. "On ne voit bien que par le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) "We only well see with the heart, the essential is invisible for the eyes." In memory of Doren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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