CraigHyatt Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 (edited) OK, so it's not a crocodile rock. :-) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Ta0qCG8No Feeding traces? Edit: See below. There's a pattern repeated 3 times. Edit: I award doushantuo the prize. I agree with him that it's an imprint of a rolling ammonite shell approximately 2.4 cm in diameter. I rolled an ammonite in soft dough to simulate this. Edited July 19, 2016 by CraigHyatt Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Very interesting, Craig. Not sure what could have caused it. The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 (edited) Noticed that the front and back "feet" are virtually identical. In fact, I think I see 3 repetitions of the pattern. Edited July 17, 2016 by CraigHyatt Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Wow... This thing is pretty extraordinary! You should definitely seek a professional ichnologist on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 . If they were coprolites they would not have the same shape, would think same for feeding trace. Must be some sort of track or rest trace. Or maybe breeding worms. Just a guess. Tony Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 I agree it's a track. I am back at the site today trying to piece slabs together to get the longest possible trace. When I looked carefully at the original, I noticed a 4th impression in the series. Fossil hunting is Sudoku with rocks. ;-) 1 Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFossils Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 What's the age of the rocks? Website: https://www.instagram.com/paleo_archives/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- “It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.” ― Edgar Allan Poe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) What's the age of the rocks?Upper Cretaceous marineEdit: Just after I answered your post, I spotted this guy. So definitely Upper Cretaceous in roughly the 80 mya range. Edited July 18, 2016 by CraigHyatt Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeschWhat Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) VERY cool trace fossil, Craig! Can't wait to see what you find out about this! Edited July 18, 2016 by GeschWhat 1 Lori www.areallycrappystory.com/fossils www.facebook.com/fossilpoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFossils Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Same here haha This is a real weird one Website: https://www.instagram.com/paleo_archives/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- “It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.” ― Edgar Allan Poe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 VERY cool trace fossil, Craig! Can't wait to see what you find out about this! I thought it might be from a tentacle, but when I watched films of octopus locomotion, it didn't seem to match. One thing to keep in mind is that it could simply be the imprint of some object being tumbled along the bottom by the current. The only way to rule that out would be to find another similar trace somewhere else nearby. I will keep investigating and documenting. If I can't figure it out, I'll contact a university. Ichinofossils can be frustrating, but as far as this fossil hunter's concerned, the more traces he finds, thalassinoides. Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Very cool indeed, finding out what it is will be the crown jewel. Here is where you'll need an expert to decipher this one. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFossils Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Ichinofossils can be frustrating, but as far as this fossil hunter's concerned, the more traces he finds, thalassinoides. Having some pun fun there, Craig? 1 Website: https://www.instagram.com/paleo_archives/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- “It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.” ― Edgar Allan Poe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 Very cool indeed, finding out what it is will be the crown jewel. Here is where you'll need an expert to decipher this one. Good luck. I'm working with a pro on one of my earlier finds, but don't want to give her this one yet, since she's volunteering her time. Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPS Ammonite Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) Very interesting find. Can you take a close up photo of the left side (vertical rib-like structures) of one of the trace fossils. They remind me of a side view of the jointed tail and main body of scorpion. We should have a category of unknown fossil of the month; yours could be the first winner. Edited July 18, 2016 by DPS Ammonite My goal is to leave no stone or fossil unturned. See my Arizona Paleontology Guide link The best single resource for Arizona paleontology anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 "Fossil hunting is Sudoku with rocks" If there was a fossil-related proverb of the month award, I think you'd win it 1 ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFossils Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Wild suggestion: some kind of arthropod fossil. 1 Website: https://www.instagram.com/paleo_archives/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- “It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.” ― Edgar Allan Poe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) Very interesting find. Can you take a close up photo of the left side (vertical rib-like structures) of one of the trace fossils. They remind me of a side view of the jointed tail and main body of scorpion. We should have a category of unknown fossil of the month; yours could be the first winner. Here are some closeups of the "ribs". If you need another angle let me know. I lugged the thing back home in my backpack. ;-) I also include a macro shot of the "foot" which is sort of intriguing. This is the only impression that is fully preserved. The others have chipped off. Edit: The "foot" reminds me a bit of a lungfish flipper or the primitive design sea animals had as they evolved to walk on land. Also, I might have found a 5th impression at the bottom of the matrix mixed in with the hash, but I am not sure. Otherwise, there are certainly at least 4 pretty much identical and equally-spaced impressions. Edited July 18, 2016 by CraigHyatt Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 Wild suggestion: some kind of arthropod fossil. Maybe line dancing shrimp? :-) Only reason I am thinking it's a trace would be that all the impressions are so-well spaced and similar. But can't rule anything out at this point. Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Well, it it were line-dancing shrimp we'd definitely know they were somewhat primitive in not having progressed to more complex geometric forms like square dancing ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 Well, it it were line-dancing shrimp we'd definitely know they were somewhat primitive in not having progressed to more complex geometric forms like square dancing Absolutely. Square dancing first appeared in sea monkeys. ;-) Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 There are four "traces" in the line, I agree. I've never seen before something like this, so I can't help in ID, but I have to mention, it's an extraordinary ichnofossil. Congrats for the find ! " We are not separate and independent entities, but like links in a chain, and we could not by any means be what we are without those who went before us and showed us the way. " Thomas Mann My Library Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doushantuo Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 (edited) I think it might be an ammonite shell roll mark.The impression might be skewed because of partial buoyancy Edited July 18, 2016 by doushantuo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guguita2104 Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Hello Craig ! IMO, they're artropod trace fossils. Here it's a site where you can find lots of examples for comparison:http://www.sjvgeology.org/geology/trace_fossils.html Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigHyatt Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) I think it might be an ammonite shell roll mark.The impression might be skewed because of partial buoyancyYou are a genius! I just measured, and the three "lips" (presumably made by the shell opening) are exactly 7.5 cm apart. So, if I dig slightly downhill to the right, I should find an ammonite 2.4 cm diameter. :-)I rolled an ammonite in soft dough, and it perfectly explains the trace we see. Might not be the exact species of ammonite, but clearly explains the wide marks, the much narrower marks, and the periodic lip mark. Of course, the ammonite I'm using is larger than the one that made the trace. The trace looks compatible with heteromorphs than the Sphenodiscus I have on hand. Plenty of possible candidates in this overview: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jens_Lehmann/publication/281108040_Ammonite_Biostratigraphy_of_the_Cretaceous-An_Overview/links/55eff7ea08ae0af8ee1b4a18.pdf?origin=publication_detail Strip of soft dough Start with lip impression Roll wide part of the trace Roll narrow part of the trace up to next lip impression Edited July 19, 2016 by CraigHyatt Info: Craig Hyatt, retired software/electrical engineer Experience: Beginner, fossil hunting less than a year Location: Eagle Pass, TX USA on the border with Mexico, hot dry desert Formation: Escondido, Marine, Upper Cretaceous Materials: Sandstone, Mudstone, Shale, Chert, Chalk Typical: Thalassinoides, Sphenodiscus, Exogyra, Inoceramus Reference: http://txfossils.com/Txfossils.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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