Thursday, August 27, 2009

Devonian Arthrodire

If you opened this drawer at the Cincinnati Museum paleontology collection center, and asked me what this was, I would have no answer.

Luckily, the curator was there and she told us it was a Devonian Period arthrodire (armored fish). They make great displays once there in 3-D form (http://www.palaeocritti.com/dunkleosteus-terrelli). I believe there is one in the lobby at the Falls of the Ohio State Park visitor center.

If I had to guess, this fossil probably came from the Cleveland Shale (member of Ohio Shale). It is probably a Dunkleosteus.