OutdoorZ Life Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 We found this very interesting (at least to us) fossil at Beltzville State Park (PA) recently and wondered what you all thought it was of. Thanks in advance for your feedback. We are fossil novices but love learning. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas1982 Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 It looks like the impression of a cephalopod shell: Michelinoceras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 I think it is a rugose coral showing budding. Perhaps something like Eridophyllum? 1 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 I have to agree. Looks more like a rugose coral, to me. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutdoorZ Life Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 6 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said: I think it is a rugose coral showing budding. Perhaps something like Eridophyllum? Thanks...I will research that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutdoorZ Life Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 3 hours ago, Fossildude19 said: I have to agree. Looks more like a rugose coral, to me. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutdoorZ Life Posted October 16, 2023 Author Share Posted October 16, 2023 3 hours ago, Fossildude19 said: I have to agree. Looks more like a rugose coral, to me. Thanks...will be research this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bringing Fossils to Life Posted October 16, 2023 Share Posted October 16, 2023 To me this looks like the imprint of a crinoid stem; I have similar looking specimens that preserve other parts. Next to it is a bryozoan similar to fenestella. This is NOT a Michelinoceras; their imprints do not have the ridges where their sutures connect the septa to the shell; I do not know much about coral; I would listen to the others who have already spoken. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 Size would be helpful to rule out or confirm crinoid material. From the photo, it looks large. Maybe @OutdoorZ Life can let us know what the size of the fossil is. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutdoorZ Life Posted December 22, 2023 Author Share Posted December 22, 2023 6 hours ago, Fossildude19 said: Size would be helpful to rule out or confirm crinoid material. From the photo, it looks large. Maybe @OutdoorZ Life can let us know what the size of the fossil is. Rock is about 5 inches long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 Could be a crinoid stem imprint, in that case. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Hunter Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Im having a hard time seeing a crinoid stem, anyone have an example similar to this? Is it possible it's an Eurypterid impression? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 I agree with this fossil being of a crinoid stem. I don't think it's an impression though. I believe the cause of the confusion is the way the fossil fractured upon being exposed. I think a thin sliver from one side of the stem is still there. Just enough so that the outer rim of a few crenulae are exposed in side view. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 5 hours ago, Lone Hunter said: Im having a hard time seeing a crinoid stem, anyone have an example similar to this? Is it possible it's an Eurypterid impression? No. Not a Eurypterid. The area this was found is Devonian in age, and not at all known for eurypterids. Here is what I am seeing: 2 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Hunter Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 I only remembered seeing a lot of eurypterid fossils from Penn. and at least to me it looks more like that than a crinoid stem. I'm learning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 28 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: The area this was found is Devonian in age, and not at all known for eurypterids. While Eurypterus is Ordovician I think eurypterids were still around in the Devonian. Thier preservation potential is much lower than that of the specimens seen here, and they may also have preferred a different habitat, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Like I said, Beltzville State Park is known for middle Devonian Mahantango Fm. fossils, and not at all known for eurypterids of any kind. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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