Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Protoleptostrophia perplana? Brachiopod



This may be one of the largest best preserved brachiopods I have ever found, measuring over 5 cm in width. It was recovered from the Silver Creek Member of the North Vernon Limestone of Clark County, Indiana, USA and appears to be a Protoleptostrophia perplana? (Conrad, 1839). Originally, I thought this was a Megastrophia (Caster, 1939) in an earlier posting (CLICK HERE) but Dave at Views of the Mahantango blog pointed out that error.

Thanks to Kenny for cleaning the matrix off this specimen with sand abrasive cleaning.  See further down in this posting for before and after pictures of both sides.  It really is clean!