ID required for shelled organism (possibly ammonite)

[Kaiju Slayer333]

I found this in Long Island and although it’s likely a ammonite, I wanted to make sure it’s not some other shelled organism.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Pretty sure that's a goniatite. 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

What features suggest that?

[ynot]

The suture lines are to simple for ammonite.

I agree with goniatite.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Here's an old, bad quality photo i have of one of my goniaities for comparison. 

As Tony says, simple suture lines and not much ornamentation. 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

True. I’ve seen ammonite fossils with simple designs but not only were they not that simple, but they were polished. All of them. So there may be some connection. So I guess it’s likely a goniatite

[Kane]

It could be a goniatite as others have suggested. If so, this may actually be of some value for you in terms of determining the age of the finds in that area - if it is not a product of glacial drift or imported fill. The closer you can come to identify a range of fossils in a collecting area as being of similar age, the better you may be able to target that area for finding other interesting specimens.

[Kaiju Slayer333]

So if I can find the area where this was found, it could be a valuable place for more fossils? Because no joke, that would be cool.

[Kane]

It is a possibility, for sure! Natural exposures of rock are perhaps among the more stable places to find fossils of the same age as they would be nested in the strata as opposed to tossed about through natural forces or human intervention. It might be worth it to obtain a geological map of your area. Using geological maps helps a lot of us either track down new locations, or help describe the specimens we find at some locations. 

 

Once you're able to pinpoint it down to formation and member, it is then a simple task of reading up on the typical fossils that can be found in those layers. This is where fossil collecting takes on the fun of detective work!

[ynot]

3 minutes ago, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

So if I can find the area where this was found, it could be a valuable place for more fossils? Because no joke, that would be cool.

A good possibility, provided legal access is available.

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Ok but just so you know I collect these fossils as a hobby, I’m not a professional and as I’ve said before, quite a bit of my collection I did not find myself. Plus I’m not revealing my age but I’m pretty young.

[Kane]

Just now, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

Ok but just so you know I collect these fossils as a hobby, I’m not a professional and as I’ve said before, quite a bit of my collection I did not find myself. Plus I’m not revealing my age but I’m pretty young.

A lot of us are also hobbyists.  

 

I was collecting at 6 or 7 years old, and I got my first geological map of my city at around 10, and regularly used my public library to learn more about fossils. There's a lot to learn, but the fun aspect of it makes it not feel like work. As long as you remain safe and keep activity legal, you can indulge that passion firsthand through map reading, research, and exploring. It definitely is a rewarding hobby for so many reasons.  

[ynot]

5 minutes ago, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

Ok but just so you know I collect these fossils as a hobby, I’m not a professional and as I’ve said before, quite a bit of my collection I did not find myself.

Nothing wrong with this, but You should try to get location information with any purchases You make.

 

PS What Kane said too.

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Thanks by the way. Listen, for most of my collection. If what is said is true, those fossils including those goniatites since I got more 1, are from Long Island or around the general area.

[Pagurus]

You might find this old fossil forum post helpful, including the link mentioned in the post. Most of Long Island is glacial moraine, but fossils have occasionally been found. Enjoy your journey.

 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Are you talking about this specific forum?

[abyssunder]

Your specimen looks close to these ones (borrowed from the internet), including the mineralization.

 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Where were those ones found?

[Kaiju Slayer333]

 I did find this. 

[abyssunder]

1 hour ago, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

Where were those ones found?

That was my question to Dave Frost on Pinterest.

[Herb]

Looks like a Mississippian form called Winchelloceras sp.

[Tidgy's Dad]

Looks like a Moroccan haematite Prionoceras sp? 

If it is it's Upper Devonian. 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

That’s more likely then because if it’s not from Long Island. I’m guaranteed it’s from Morocco 

[Herb]

or a Mississipian Polaricyclus ? ballardensis. From the Borden Formation, Coral Ridge member, Louisville, KY

[Herb]

2 hours ago, abyssunder said:

Your specimen looks close to these ones (borrowed from the internet), including the mineralization.

 

Nice specimen