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Post by Sharon Faulkner on Jun 20, 2007 22:43:46 GMT -5
Here is another fossil photo taken in a cave in Wayne County Tennessee. The location of the fossil is not widely known and for all I know may be a very common type fossil, but the few folks I've asked have not known. Anyone know what type of fossil it is? Note: The cavers who discovered the fossil call it "The Floppinator" (hence the name of this thread).    |
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Brian Roebuck
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Caver
Caving - the one activity that really brings you to your knees!
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Post by Brian Roebuck on Jun 21, 2007 16:42:40 GMT -5
Looks kinda like a primitive sand dollar type critter to me. Sand dollars have the seams that divide them into (four?) sections like this thing does as well as being symetric all around. Either that or it's an alien ninja throwing disc. Of course I could be WAY off but that is my un-professional opinion of the floppinator.
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Post by John Lovaas on Jun 21, 2007 22:24:36 GMT -5
I just emailed the picture to an amateur paleontologist friend of mine, and he thought that if the fossil was in Pennsylvanian or Mississippian limestone, that it might be a sea urchin.
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Post by Sharon Faulkner on Jun 22, 2007 0:01:52 GMT -5
Thanks guys.  Not sure of the type of limestone John, I'll have to check on that. |
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Post by gillip on Jun 22, 2007 14:01:32 GMT -5
Another very interesting cross-section. I would definately say it is an echinoderm. Echinoderms (starfish, urchins, blastoids, crinoids, etc.) are generally divided radially into five sections. This clearly has 4 sections. My best guess is a cross section of a crinoid crown. Some have alot of spines. Ideally there would be five sections, but a cross section at a wierd angle can really throw you off.
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