RCFossils Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 This is a relatively rare member of the marine (Essex) portion of the Mazon Creek deposit. Hesslerella shermani looks to the casual observer to be some type of shrimp. It is actually a marine isopod related to modern day pill bugs. One of the main features that differentiate it from a shrimp is that it lacks a carapace. Other distinguishing characteristics are a rounded head with large eyes. The legs are also similar in length. Hesslerella is one of the smallest crustaceans found in the Mazon Creek deposit. They average around 2 centimeters or less in body length. At the time Hesslerella was described (Schram 1970), it was the earliest known isopod in the fossil record. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCFossils Posted November 8, 2019 Author Share Posted November 8, 2019 This a a specimen that my son collected when he was twelve. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kmiecik Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 First time I've ever seen one. Thank you for the photos. Mark. Fossil hunting is easy -- they don't run away when you shoot at them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 Fascinating and beautiful. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crabfossilsteve Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 As a graduate student I studied amphipods, so see those isopod fossils is very cool. Always hoped I might come across an amphipod fossil...ha ha. Again, very cool specimens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilsNS Posted November 8, 2019 Share Posted November 8, 2019 Very nice specimen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stats Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 Awesome! Cheers, Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deutscheben Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Neat, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred97 Posted November 10, 2019 Share Posted November 10, 2019 Great post, awesome pictures - thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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