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Hey everybody! I'm Korey and I'm a bit new here (and to the world of paleontology in general) so I apologize if things might be a little messy. Regardless, I'll try my best in keeping things as crisp as possible. I was hoping I could have some help identifying a few fossils on the exterior of these rocks I found. The following three fossil matrices were collected in a single trip along Cape Fear River in the Wilmington area. Each one contains numerous fossils of a variety of species embedded within a limestone matrix. Mineral composition was confirmed by a professor of paleontology (specialized in microfossils) at UNC Wilmington, meaning they likely originated from the Castle Hayne limestone deposit. I would really appreciate some help in identifying some of the fossils found in these matrices, as while a decent number are somewhat recognizable, there are some that are completely mysterious. Specifically in matrix B and C. Matrix A: Measuring roughly 61mm in length, and 40mm in width, this is a cluster of what appears to be remnants of steinkerns and their remaining impressions. I counted over 10 individual snail shells, the exact number being a bit unclear, and a single bivalve impression. The snails appear to be some form of teribridae, while the nature of the bivalve impression is unknown. The largest snail impression measured at roughly 14mm in width. Length was unfortunately not easily measured as there are seemingly no complete impressions left behind. Much of them simply stretch across the entire matrix. The bivalve impression takes up much of it's side of the matrix, measuring at a rough 38mm. Matrix B: Measures roughly 52mm in length, and 43mm in width. This matrix is host to an intact unidentified bivalve shell, what appears to be a pair of concretions, encrusting bryozoa, and an unidentified organism. The bivalve shell is roughly 25mm wide. A bryozoan colony is visible to the left of the shell's beak. You can also see the concretions top right of the shell. What species of bivalve is it? Each concretion is roughly 5mm in width. The edges of the concretions appear to be encrusted by bryozoa. (It is very hard to get good pictures of this feature, I'm sorry). The final feature of Matrix B is this unusual shape closely resembling a reverse impression of a coral cup. Measures 17mm at it's widest and 10mm at the thinnest. Seems to consist of a central undefined and weathered shape surrounded by a series of 10 striated symmetrical structures resembling the septa of a coral polyp cup. There is no other apparent evidence of similar structures within the matrix, and it seems to be entirely on it's own. Matrix C: Measuring 174mm long, and 97mm wide, this chunk of limestone has some heft to it. Contained within is the fossil of highest interest to me, what I originally thought to be petrified wood. Also present is what appears to be a eutrephoceras shell, and a single unusual ring-shaped organic artifact. This particular matrix was discovered under the water, where only a small part of it was sticking out of the submerged mud. Jutting out of the matrix is a partly exposed branch-like structure of unknown biology. This picture depicts the anterior end of it where it appears to have been broken off, revealing the interior cross section of the branch. This structure is roughly 25mm at it's widest I had originally thought it to be petrified wood, but the paleontologist I consulted disagreed, stating that petrified wood typically looks different. It is most certainly not coral either, so perhaps it is a species of branching bryozoan? Here is a side view of the branch structure, showing the deep striated appearance of it's exterior. At this point it looks almost more geological than biological, but the interior shapes tell a different story. I honestly suspect that it may have been eroded. A scant 19mm of this structure is exposed from the surrounding substrate, which I suspect might be hiding a much longer specimen. Here is another branch that appears similar to the prior one, only much smaller. Measuring a mere 5mm in width at it's widest point. Unlike the larger branch, the entire 25mm of this structure has been left exposed, revealing a very similar striated exterior. Could both of these have belonged to the same organism? This little limpet-like organism was hiding in a tiny recess, merely 4mm at it's widest. Not sure what it is, really. I appear to have forgotten to measure this one while I had my fossils out so I apologize, but this appears to be some form of coral-like structure. If you look closely you can just barely make out what appears to be a defined exterior ring nigh indistinguishable from the surrounding limestone. And finally we have what appears to be Eutrephoceras or at least some other similar mollusc. It's fairly small and measures around 18mm wide from the lip to the anterior of the whorl. Only three chambers can be seen, though there might be one or two more. I'm excited to see what everyone thinks of these fossils, and what they think they might be. It's a mystery that's been nagging at my mind for weeks now, and I have unfortunately yet to find answers. Please let me know if any more angles or pictures are needed, and I will try my best to provide.
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Shark Vertebra (possibly Otodus/Carcharocles auriculatus or angustidens) from the New Bern Quarry in North Carolina
shark57 posted a gallery image in Vertebrates
From the album: Fossils
1.5 inch lamnid type shark vertebra in matrix from the New Bern quarry. Not sure if this is from the Oligocene River Bend Formation or the Eocene Castle Hayne Formation. If you think you recognize which formation this is from, leave a comment.-
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From the album: My Echinoid Collection
Periarchus sp. Castle Hayne Formation Late Eocene (41-33 Ma) Holden Beach, Brunswick County, North Carolina, USA Self collected in September 2023 A highly unexpected but exciting find, I came across this chunk of Castle Hayne material while searching the beach for Cretaceous Hardouinia mortonis specimens. The tide and surf was particularly strong due to an offshore tropical cyclone, which made it difficult to find the Cretaceous echinoids, but was bringing in large stones and other things. As best as I can recall, this is the first Castle Hayne formation material I've seen on Holden Beach. The chunk is fairly hefty, and is at least 30.5 cm (12 inches) long. There are a number of Periarchus fragments in the material, and there is one other visible specimen that is only missing about ten percent of the test. I am unsure of the species due to the periproct being obscured. I have little doubt that there are probably more specimens in the center of the material. The chunk also has numerous bryzoan fossils.-
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From the album: My Echinoid Collection
Echinolampas appendiculata Castle Hayne Formation Priabonian Age, Late Eocene (37-33 Ma) Castle Hayne, New Hanover County, North Carolina, USA Acquired from online, July 2023 There are trace particles of phosphate in the interambulacral zones, highlighting the plate patterns. It shows up especially well under UV light.-
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I need some help. From my new pit location. Eocene Castle Hayne Formation, Comfort Member. A partial Marine Mammal? tooth with root. Archeocete? Sirinean? PPinned? @Boesse @Al Dente @siteseer
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I believe this vert is from the Eocene sea snake Palaeophis sp. If so a very rare find. This is also from my new pit. Eocene Castle Hayne Formation, Comfort Member. Jones County, N.C. Thanks to @Plax for the thought to look into snake. @Al Dente @Boesse @siteseer
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Carcharocles (Otodus) auriculatus 04
Brett Breakin' Rocks posted a gallery image in Member Collections
From the album: Sharks and their prey ....
Carcharocles (Otodus) auriculatus North Carolina, Castle Hayne fm.© © Matthew Brett Rutland
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One of the few items in my collection which was not self-collected. Given to me by another forum member. The location this was collected from is now paved over and has been closed for close to 2 decades. A rare find even at that site. Once known as Santeelampas oviformis, Kier (1980) assigned this to his early Biozone. Known from only a very small handful of sites in North and South Carolina's Castle Hayne, Warley Hill and Santee Limestone Formations. One of the intriguing things about this echinoid is the lack of matrix inside of the test. You can see this in the first (featured) photo of the periproct. The light inside is what is seen through the paper-thin test. References: Kier, 1980. The Echinoids of the Middle Eocene Warley Hill Formation, Santee Limestone and Castle Hayne Limestone of North and South Carolina. Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology, Number 39. Pg. 30. Plate 9: figures 1-8
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Periarchus sp. is found in Zullo & Harris (1987) sequence 3 of the Castle Hayne Formation ( Kier, (1980) middle biozone). It is differentiated from Periarchus lyelli only by the placement of the periproct. In P. sp the periproct is below the midpoint between the peristome and the posterior margin of the test. On P. lyelli it is slightly above. Kier (1980), identified this sand dollar as Protoscutella plana; however Osborne, Mooi and Ciampaglio (2013) determined the oral plate structure separate these specimens from Protescutella plana and belonged in the Genus Periarchus.
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Seems like the subject of piddock clam burrows comes up here on occasion. I found this interesting example of a clam burrow that was in the hard ground at the top of the New Hanover Member of the Late Eocene Castle Hayne formation. The clam had apparently burrowed through the indurated conglomeratic limestone including the turtle shell. It's a bit difficult to discern in the pics but the sediment is burrowed as well as the shell so the burrowing happened in the hard ground, not in the turtle shell. The result is a half circumference burrow. If not for the bored sediment one could make a case for the shell being burrowed on the sea floor prior to fossilization (in the dead turtle shell). Googling "gastrochaenolites" gives some really good pics and info.
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Has vertical stacks of cirri scars.
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First described crinoid from North Carolina. It is one of the more common and easy to identify.
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Not very common.
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One of the more widespread of the Eocene comatulids. This species is found in several Southeastern and Gulf states.
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One of the smaller comatulids from the Castle Hayne Formation. Has an irregular outline.
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Only described stalked crinoid from the Castle Hayne Formation. Quite common in some areas, absent in others.
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These columnals can be quite common. Some are smooth, some warty.
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