My boldest claim yet, Is this a small Chunk of Listracanthus? or Bias? ( Missouri )

[Samurai]

Location: Missouri

Period: Pennsylvanian

Formation: Iola Formation (Muncie Creek Shale Member) 

 

Hello! once again. Today I have what is either a cluster of scales, or a possible chunk of listracanthus that was entombed in one of these many phosphate nodules I have come to possess over the years. I only say Listracanthus due to the "scales" looking feathery and wavy much like the 3 other Listracanthus denticles I have found so far from these nodules. The main difference is that it appears to be attached to something this time. Let me know what you think!

 

 

Rotated:

 

Ever since I heard of the tragic tale of Listracanthus I have always been fascinated by it. Which is why I am afraid I might be a little too biased in this assumption.

 

Other Half of the nodule:

 

 

 

Size:

 

 

 

 

In the surrounding Limestone matrix, there is also a very small brachiopod that my professor couldn't nail down the exact species of. Thought he deserved his little section too!

 

 

 

Lastly here are a few pictures of other denticles I have found from the Muncie Creek

 

 

Thanks for reading through all of this and let me know what you guys think, I'm not even sure what part of the body this would belong on the animal itself, so I would love any information. 

 

 

[connorp]

No, it's just a piece of bone. I don't know exactly what, but I've seen that texture a lot.

[Fossildude19]

@jdp 

 

I'm getting a fishy vibe off of it.

[Samurai]

2 hours ago, connorp said:

No, it's just a piece of bone. I don't know exactly what, but I've seen that texture a lot.

Ok thank you. I was expecting I was wrong. I havnt seen much of bones as mostly cartilage tends to pop out of these nodules.

[jdp]

The vermiform ornament screams actinopterygian.

[Petalodus12]

Definitely ray-finned fish material (as the others have said). Size and shape makes me think that its part of the opercular series, which would cover the gills in life. Neat find!