Camarotoechia prolifica Brachiopod Fossil

 

Here are a series of images drawn by Elvira Wood in 1901 which she used to show fossil brachiopod called Camarotoechia prolifica (Hall). She described and illustrated it in the 1901 paper Marcellus (Stafford) Limestones of Lancaster, Erie Co. N.Y. on pages 162.

 

 

Camarotoechia pauciplicata Brachiopod Fossil

Plate 9 Figure 7 Camarotoechia pauciplicata sp. nov. dorsal view of a specimen from the Stafford limestone of Genesee county.

 

Here are a series of images drawn by Elvira Wood in 1901 which she used to name a new species of brachiopod called Camarotoechia pauciplicata. She described and illustrated it in the 1901 paper Marcellus (Stafford) Limestones of Lancaster, Erie Co. N.Y. on pages 162-163.

"Associated with Camarotoechia sappho and C. horsfordi are specimens which differ from both in important respects. The outline of these shells is subpentagonal, the greatest width being two thirds the distance from the beak to the anterior margin. Pedicle valve slightly convex in the posterior portion but becoming depressed in the sinus and extended in front to meet the margin of the brachial valve. Beak elevated and slightly incurved. Brachial valve gibbous, the greatest convexity being at about the middle of the shell. Surface marked by three subangular plications on the fold, two in the sinus, and three broad, low plications on the lateral slopes. These are crossed by well marked lines of growth. Plications absent near the beaks and becoming well defined at about one fourth the length of the shell from the beak. A well marked constriction of both valves is often present about half way between the beak and anterior margin. The interior could not be observed. The nearly straight cardinal slopes, elevated ventral beak, and few plications of the fold and sinus are the most characteristic features of the species.

This species resembles externally Pugnax utah of the upper Coal Measures, but the specimens are longer in proportion to the width, and the plications become visible nearer the beak than in the latter species. From Camarotoechia (?) duplicata, of the Chemung beds, it differs in the unequal convexity of the valves, straight cardinal slopes, and greater number of lateral plications. This species shell has been found by the writer in material from the Stafford limestone of the Livonia shaft (N. Y. state museum)."

 

Plate 9 Figure 8 Camarotoechia pauciplicata sp. nov. anterior view of a specimen from the Stafford limestone of Genesee county.

 

Plate 9 Figure 9 Camarotoechia pauciplicata sp. nov. ventral view of a specimen from the Stafford limestone of Genesee county.

Plate 9 Figure 10 Camarotoechia pauciplicata sp. nov. pedicle valve of a specimen from which the beak has been broken.

Plate 9 Figure 11 Camarotoechia pauciplicata sp. nov. lateral view of the same

Plate 9 Figure 12 Camarotoechia pauciplicata sp. nov. dorsal valve

Crania recta Brachiopod Fossil

 

Crania recta Plate 9 Figure 2 Mold of upper valve, with portion of shell attached, showing muscular scars.

The U.S. Postal Service just delivered a book I purchased from Willis Monie-Books of Cooperstown, New York USA. The book is called New York State Museum Bulletin 49 December 1901 Paleontologic Papers 2. It contains a number of papers including one called Marcellus (Stafford) Limestones of Lancaster, Erie Co. N.Y. by Elvira Wood.

Crania recta Plate 9 Figure 3 View of another specimen similarly preserved.

 She describes the new brachiopod species Crania recta on page 157-158.

"The three specimens obtained are all upper valves. Two are molds of the external surface with minute fragments of the posterior portion of the shell retained; the third shows the exterior. The former were attached to the interior and the latter to the exterior of the living chamber of Orthoceras.

Upper valve transverse, having the form of a flattened rim with sharply elevated central portion; beak subcentral. A shallow sinus, widening toward the front, extends from the beak to the anterior margin. Outline of the valve straight on the posterior side, regularly rounded at the sides, and slightly arcuate in front. Surface marked by fine lines of growth. Under a strong magnifier the surface is seen to be minutely granulose, a feature not visible under an ordinary hand lens. Posterior adductor scars are shown on a fragment of shell remaining. 

Lower valve unknown. 

The characteristic features of the species are the straight posterior margin and greater transverse diameter.

Measurements of three specimens are: 1) anteroposterior 5 mm, lateral 7.8 mm; 2) anteroposterior 5 mm, lateral 6 mm; 3) anteroposterior 4 mm, lateral 5.2 mm, depth 1 mm."

Crania recta Plate 9 Figure 1 The upper valve with outlines of dorsoventral and lateral sections.

Crinoid Fossil Column Section

 

 

This crinoid fossil was collected in 2009 at Lake Cumberland Kentucky USA. It dates to the Mississippian Period and was found in the Fort Payne Formation. Recently, I had it out to test a new ultrasonic cleaner.