Illymatogyra arietina Oyster Fossil

Here are some pictures of some recently found oyster fossils. They appear to be an Illymatogyra arietina (Roemer). The fossil was found in the Georgetown Formation of Austin Texas USA. Oysters like these lived in the Cretaceous Period. Thanks to Kenny for the images.

Crested Oysters

These shells appear to be Crested Oysters or Ostrea equestris (Say, 1834).  One has group of barnacles attached to it.

They were found by a 17 year old Lucien Pearson Beckner in 1889 at Naples, Florida, USA. Mr. Beckner was a mentor to Professor James Conkin (1924-2017) and his natural history collection was left to him upon his death.

 

UV Fluorescent Oyster Fossil

Recently, I obtained an ultraviolet (UV) LED flashlight set at 365 nm wavelength. This light is shortwave UV and in the past this type of light was quite expensive. I have a Mineralight Model SL 2537 which is over 50 years old. The replacement bulb for it is over $100. The LED light I found on Amazon.com was under $40. I was somewhat skeptical it would produce shortwave UV. It worked and I am glad now I have a replacement for the older light.

I illuminated some oyster fossils and they really started to fluoresce an orange color.

Below is an image showing two intertwined oyster fossils that appear to be Ilymatogyra arictina. It was found in the Del Rio Formation of Val Verde County, Texas, USA. It dates to the Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous Period. I originally posted about this fossil on December 27, 2019.

The Oyster Sidewalk

When I visited Savannah, Georgia USA in August 2017, found this interesting oyster concrete sidewalk. This sidewalk was at the corner of 300 Habersham St. and 321 E Liberty St. According to a 2017 report on historic pavement in Savannah Georgia, some sections of the city have "1950s Concrete with oyster shell aggregate". This sidewalk might be one of these sections.

I don't think these shells are fossils though maybe one day they will be. This concrete is an interesting way to use shells though and thought it might be worth noting.

Read report at this site:
http://savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10017/Report-on-Historic-Pavement-in-Savannah_v3?bidId=

See map of city with areas marked here:
http://www.historicpavement.com/savannah

Ilymatogyra arictina Oyster Fossils

Here are two intertwined oyster fossils that appear to be Ilymatogyra arictina. It was found in the Del Rio Formation of Val Verde County, Texas, USA. It dates to the Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous Period.

It was once part of the Steve Garza collection of Corydon, Indiana. Thanks to Dale for this specimen.

Modern Day Spiny Sea Creatures

In July 2018, I visited the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, USA. While there I came across the Hall of Biodiversity and the variety of spiny invertebrate sea creatures on display.

Around the Louisville area we find the fossils of spiny creatures (brachiopods and snails) and while not common finds they peak the interest as what they fully looked like.

See these past posts of some of the fossils found: Productella spinulicosta (Devonian), Echinoconchus alternatus (Mississippian), Platyceras dumosum (Devonian), Productella spinulicosta (Devonian), Productella? (Mississippian), and Platyceras dumosum (Devonian).

Images above show spiny gastropods on display at museum. They were not identified by name.

Modern spiny sea creatures seen that museum were Cat's Tongue Oyster (Spondylus linguaefelis) found in Hawaii, USA.

American Thorny Oyster (Spondlylus americanus) found in southeastern United States down to Brazil.

Regal Thorny Oyster (Spondylus regius) found in western Pacific Ocean.

Did not identify these next two.

 Images taken July 2018.

Gryphaea arcuata Fossil from England

This picture is of a Gryphaea arcuata oyster fossil. It was found in the Blue Lias of Lyme Regis England. The fossils date back to the Jurassic Period.

Specimens displayed at the Lyme Regis Museum in England as of August 2016.

Learn more at www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Lyme Regis Gryphaea Oyster Fossil

On a recent visit to Lyme Regis, I was able to purchase the fossil oyster that appears to be a Gryphaea arcuata. It was found in the Blue Lias of Lyme Regis Dorset County England. The creature existed in the Lower Jurassic Period.

Learn more at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/15043130357

Exogyra Pelecypod Fossil

This fossil appears to be a Exogyra cancellata pelecypod fossil found in the Coon Creek Formation of Mississippi or Tennessee, USA. The animal lived in the Cretaceous Period along with mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. Thanks to Mary Ann for finding the fossil and to Kenny who is prepping the fossil.

Inoceramus Mega-Blister Pearl Fossil

Inoceramus sp. mega-blister pearl fossil found in the Niobrara formation of Gove County, Kansas. The extinct oyster that produced this beauty lived in the upper Cretaceous Period (about 89 million years ago). Thanks to Mark Palatas for letting me photograph it.

Return of the Serpula

Sometimes a fossil is so nice that it needs to be revisited photographically.  This Inoceramus oyster shell fragment is covered with Serpula worm tubes.  The fossils were found in the Eagleford Group, Kamp Ranch Formation in Dallas County, Texas.  These marine creatures existed in the Cretaceous Period.

Last presented on the blog on December 4, 2009 (CLICK HERE).  Thanks to Herb for loaning me the fossil to photograph.

Exogyra Oyster Fossil

The Exogyra sp. was found in the upper Cretaceous of McNairy County, Tennessee.  Decided to post a fossilized oyster to match a recent theme of my fellow blogger at Views of the Mahantango.  Dave recently covered the Llymatogyra arietina, Texigryphaea navia, and Texigryphaea macoui oysters, so go check out his pictures and descriptions!

Thanks to Herb for this rather large fossil.  It might be the largest fossil I have excluding colonial corals in my small collection.

Serpula Worm Tube Fossil

This worm tube fossil was found in the Eagleford Group, Kamp Ranch Formation in Dallas County, Texas. It is called Serpula and existed in the Cretaceous Period. The tubes are attached to part of an Inoceramus oyster shell.

Thanks to Herb for the images.

Texigryphea Oyster Fossil

This oyster fossil is called Texigryphea sp. It is from Tarrant County, Texas. The fossil existed in the Cretaceous Period.

Thanks to Herb for the fossil.

Exogyra Oyster Fossil

This oyster fossil is called Exogyra sp. It is from Tarrant County, Texas and existed in the Cretaceous Period.

Thanks to Herb for the fossil.