Identifying Possible Fossilized Fish Eggs and Other Marine Fossils in Red-Black Jasper with UV-Reactive Spots

[baschti]

 

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping for some assistance in identifying some intriguing structures I found embedded in a red-black jasper stone with white vein patterns. The specimen was discovered in the Lahn River near the confluence with the Ohm River, so it's likely from the Lahn’s deposits rather than the Ohm.

Observations

Egg-Like Structures:

The stone contains several oval-shaped structures that I believe might be fossilized fish eggs or some type of marine life reproductive form.

The structures vary in size, which may indicate growth stages.

Under high magnification (up to 2000x with my phone microscope), these "eggs" display repeating internal patterns that resemble cellular structures or embryonic development.

UV Light Test:

When exposed to UV light, the egg-like structures exhibit a fluorescent response, reflecting the UV light distinctly. However, the white veins in the stone, which I initially assumed to be calcite, did not react under UV. This fluorescence is quite striking and seems specific to the oval structures alone.

Question: I understand that calcite often fluoresces under UV, but these white veins did not. Is it possible that there are non-UV-reactive forms of calcite, or might this be another mineral entirely?

Additional Marine Fossils:

On closer inspection, I've identified what appear to be other fossilized marine remains on the same specimen. These might help with the dating or contextualization of the find, suggesting a specific geological time period.

Unfortunately, my current equipment limits the resolution and clarity of these smaller details, but I’ve captured the best images possible.

Specimen Description

Stone Type: Red-black jasper with white veins (originally thought to be calcite).

Fluorescence: Only the oval, egg-like structures fluoresce under UV light.

Location: Lahn River, near the confluence with the Ohm River.

Images Included

Due to forum limitations, I’m including the following images to provide a comprehensive view:

An overview of the entire specimen.

Close-ups of the egg-like structures with visible internal patterns.

A UV light image showing the fluorescence of the egg structures.

A close-up of additional marine fossils on the same stone.

A few angled shots for depth and texture perspective.

Any insights into what these egg-like formations could be, or any thoughts on the potential age and type of the other marine fossils in this jasper matrix, would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time and expertise!

[Al Dente]

1 hour ago, baschti said:

The stone contains several oval-shaped structures that I believe might be fossilized fish eggs or some type of marine life reproductive form.

Are these structures on the rock or in the rock? The photos make it look like they are attached to the rock. If so, they are most likely some type of modern invertebrate eggs laid on the rock.

[Fossildude19]

I'd hold it to a flame, and see if they burn.  Don't want those eggs hatching if they are modern inverts of some kind of bug. 

[baschti]

On 11/5/2024 at 11:10 PM, Al Dente said:

Are these structures on the rock or in the rock? The photos make it look like they are attached to the rock. If so, they are most likely some type of modern invertebrate eggs laid on the rock.

The images show an intriguing arrangement of oval structures resembling egg masses or capsules, which appear to be carefully placed in a crevice or hollow. Such organized structures are often characteristic of some insects or invertebrates, which lay their eggs in protected spaces to shield them from predators and environmental factors. The regular, dense arrangement suggests a biological origin, commonly seen in egg clusters of certain invertebrate species.

 

On 11/5/2024 at 11:20 PM, Fossildude19 said:

Don't want those eggs hatching if they are modern inverts of some kind of bug.

The fund is already a few years old and nothing has hatched. The eggs were well protected by a thick layer of algae. Cleaned with a high-pressure cleaner and then a toothbrush.

I hope I have access to a decent microscope this weekend