Uncovering the Mystery of a Manitoulin Island Fossil

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the identification of a fossil found on Manitoulin Island, with participants exploring potential classifications such as tube worms, graptolites, and crinoids. The conversation touches on the geological epoch of the fossil and includes personal anecdotes about fossil collections.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the fossil might be tube worms or graptolites, expressing uncertainty about its classification.
  • Another participant humorously proposes a fictional classification, "Pennyplodicus," indicating a light-hearted tone in the discussion.
  • A participant asserts that the fossil is a crinoid, sharing personal experience with a large collection of crinoids and providing links for further reference.
  • A later reply confirms the crinoid identification and expresses excitement about the fossil's age, suggesting it could be nearly half a billion years old.
  • Another participant mentions having a unique fossil that resembles a brachiopod but has unidentified features, indicating a desire to seek further information from experts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some agreement on the identification of the fossil as a crinoid, but uncertainty remains regarding other potential classifications. The discussion includes humor and personal anecdotes, indicating a mix of serious inquiry and light-hearted engagement.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of certainty about fossil identification, and there are references to personal experiences that may not be universally applicable. The discussion does not resolve the classification of the fossil beyond the crinoid identification.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in paleontology, fossil identification, or geological history may find this discussion relevant.

DaveC426913
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Found this fossil on Manitoulin Island in Central Ontario - Canadian Shield area. I'd be interested in knowing what epoch they're from.

I'm thinkin' it's tube worms? Graptolites?

Or rebar.
 

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I'll beat you to the punch:

Pennyplodicus c. 2006.

Sample worth about 1 cent.

Smart ass.
 
They're crinoids. I have tons of them. Some are quite large.

http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/fossils/jpegs/crinoids.jpg"

http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/fossils/crinoid.html"

http://www.cretaceousfossils.com/non_cretaceous/crinoids.htm"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Evo said:
They're crinoids. I have tons of them. Some are quite large.
Thank you! I do think that's it.

Jeez, these little shapes I've got here are almost a half billion years old!
 
It's very cool, I have (somewhere) a disc full of pictures I've taken of my fossils. I have one that I haven't found identified anywhere. It falls into the brachiopod class, but has features never described or photographed, as far as I can tell, and I have searched EVERYTHING. One of these days I going to contact KU and see if anything like it has ever been found before.
 

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