Haslam Fm Oyster! (Unusual)

[Wrangellian]

First one from this site in 5+ years of collecting there.

I don't really expect to get an ID for this, The only oyster in the local literature (West Coast Fossils) is Odontogryphaea sp. - I can't say it is a 100% match, but I suppose oysters are variable so I suppose it's likely that.

I realized after I looked at these pics that I could have used a different background but this is what was handy in the sunlight!

Inner surface:

'Hinge' to upper left ^ Muscle scar - hinge to bottom

'hinge' at top now

Hinge forward I'm not sure how much is missing, but it's at least as shown in red

Outer surface

It is very thick at the 'hinge' but thins out quickly toward the outer edge. If there was any more missing than indicated in red, it appears to have been worn off before lithification, maybe by wave action?

Edited June 28, 2014 by Wrangellian

[fossisle]

Nice find Eric, oysters are rare in any of our formations. That one should be identifiable

[Wrangellian]

Thanks Rick.. The narrow trough-like internal surface is what puzzled me, compared to the broad one in the WCF example, but that has been the only other one I have seen to compare with so far.

[Fossildude19]

Nice one, Eric!

Congratulations on the rare find.

Thanks for posting it.

Regards,

[Wrangellian]

Thanks Tim.. While some would argue this site is picked over, it amazes me that new things can still turn up even after 5 years of collecting there - I guess that's what keeps me going back!