Sunday, July 22, 2012

Syringopora monroenae? Coral

This larger colonial coral fossil specimen was found in Hardin County, Kentucky. It is Mississippian in age and might be from the Salem Limestone. It appears to match the characteristics of a Syringopora monroenae coral fossil.

Thanks to Kenny for loaning me the fossil to photograph.

The last two pictures are from the Indiana Department of Geology and Natural Resources Thirtieth Annual Report, W.S. Blatchely State Geologist, 1905. They are Figures 1 and 2 in Plate X on pages 1402-1403. Listed as a specimen in the Indiana University collection.




Plate X Figure 1 page 1403

Plate X Figure 2 page 1403

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Escharopora falciformis Bryozoan

This partial fossil bryozoan attached to a piece of Lexington Limestone matrix appears to be an Escharopora falciformis. It was found in Franklin County, Kentucky and is Ordovician in age.

Similar fossils like are shown in Plate III Figures 17-19 (page 45) in Cincinnati Fossils An Elementary Guide to the Ordovician Rocks and Fossils of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Region edited by R.A. Davis 1998. The guide describes the fossils as "characteristic flat, blade shape, and the pattern of diamond-shape apertures." The text goes on to say they are found in the Mt. Hope and Fairmount subdivisions (Cincinnatian Series, Maysvillian Stage).

Thanks to Herb for the fossil and identification help.

Next image is of the fossil wet which highlights predation on its surface.




Monday, July 16, 2012

Pentremites conoidcus Blastoid Piece

This might be a segment of the ambulacral area of a Pentremites conoidcus blastoid has been magnified under a microscope. It is in a area about 4 mm wide. The fossil was found in the Salem Limestone of Spergen Hill Indiana. This area is known for its Mississippian Period fossils.
The identification appears to match Figure 32 found on Plate XXVI in the Indiana Department of Geology and Natural Resources Thirtieth Annual Report, W.S. Blatchely State Geologist, 1905.
Thanks to Kenny for the fossil image.
Pages 1436-1437 Plate XXVI Figure 32

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Dichocrinus striatus Crinoid Plate

This Mississippian Period fossil appears to be a Dichocrinus striatus crinoid calyx plate. Fossil in image about 4 mm wide. It was found at Spergen Hill, Indiana at a famous Salem Limestone microfossil locality. The identification matches Figure 5b found on Plate XIII in the Indiana Department of Geology and Natural Resources Thirtieth Annual Report, W.S. Blatchely State Geologist, 1905.
Thanks to Kenny for sharing this fossil image.
Plate XIII Figure 5b

Plate XIII Figures 5 and 5a


Sunday, July 8, 2012

Unknown Mississippian Shark Fossil

Unidentified shark fossil found in the Indian Springs or Haney Formation of Crawford County, Indiana, USA. This creature swam around in the Upper Mississippian seas. It might be a Psammodus or Helodus tooth fragment. Still researching.