Coiled Crinoid Holdfast/Arm

At first glance, this fossil looks like a coiled up millipede or some sort of worm. This coiled crinoid holdfast was probably used by the creature to anchor itself on the seafloor so it would not float away. It was found near railroad tracks in Indianapolis, Indiana. If I had to guess, it is probably from the Mississippian Period.

Thanks to Daniel for sharing this picture.

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

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.