matgerke Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 What is this strange mollusc? I found it in a creek in the Acquia Formation in Maryland, just outside of DC. In case the photos don't make it clear, this appears to be cylindrical, with a flat base, opening up to a flower-like, open crown. Any thoughts on what it is or how to prep it? Thanks, Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matgerke Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 More photos... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansTheLoser Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 My first guess woud be a bivalve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I am guessing that the item in question is encased in matrix? But I will say I get the impression of some sort of oyster. 1 Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matgerke Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 Yes, it is pretty well encased in matrix. It looks Oyster-ish, but I'm unfamiliar with the shape. Has anyone seen something that looks like this? Trying to figure out what to Google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Most likely you are going to have to remove the matrix to get a positive ID. Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 I think a type of oyster with the impression left by another oyster growing on the first. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 @MikeR should be able to steer you in the right direction. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Maybe Ostrea alepidota Dall, 1898. LINK 2 "A problem solved is a problem caused"--Karl Pilkington "I was dead for millions of years before I was born and it never inconvenienced me a bit." -- Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Almost looks like the European Ostrea edulis. 1 " 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...
Innocentx Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 If you could retake your first photo with good focus, it might reveal if there was damage (predator crunch) to the hinge end that makes it appear flat or concave. "Journey through a universe ablaze with changes" Phil Ochs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 5 hours ago, matgerke said: Acquia Aquia* these oysters are rather common in some beds. Should be nice sharks teeth in the area, have you found any? “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax Posted March 5, 2018 Share Posted March 5, 2018 Interesting that you can see the oysters attachment zone. the cavity at the base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innocentx Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 On 3/5/2018 at 7:52 AM, Plax said: Interesting that you can see the oysters attachment zone. the cavity at the base. I'm not familiar with these. Are you saying this concavity is the norm for this(oyster?) specimen? "Journey through a universe ablaze with changes" Phil Ochs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abyssunder Posted March 9, 2018 Share Posted March 9, 2018 more details here 2 " 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...
matgerke Posted March 10, 2018 Author Share Posted March 10, 2018 Fascinating. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 My dad found this Aquia formation oyster fragment that had been attached to a Turritella in life. I think that sorta thing is cool. Oh, and @matgerke as for prepping sandstone is easily removed with a pin vice or scribe, or even a dental pick or other pointy metal objects. The oysters can be delicate, so work slowly and cautiously. There are more to be found, so don’t feel too bad if you accident chip it. “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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