This is the "Fossil Friday" post #192. Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website. We will post any fossil pictures you send in to [email protected]. Please include a short description or story. Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!
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Shark egg cases are back on the menu for this week's Fossil Friday. You might remember from earlier this week, that Mazon Monday #195 featured at a rare species of egg case - Vetacapsula cooperi. A year ago in Fossil Friday #140, we looked at some very large and detailed Palaeoxyris multiplicatum specimens from the Field Museum. I mean... what says Christmas more than a fossilized shark egg case from Mazon Creek? Do you have any finial Christmas ornaments on your tree?
Jack Wittry created a nice document (posted on the Field Museum website) which helps nicely with identification of the various species of Mazon Creek shark eggs. Palaeoxyris lewisi is included. It's the third most common species.
Palaeoxyris lewisi: The number of bands is 10. They are in a repeating pattern of broad-broadsmall. Bands cross the body mid-section at a 30° angle. The third most commonly found egg case at Mazon Creek.
This specimen of P. lewisi was contributed by Phil Anderson. Phil has sent us quite a few photos in the past - including a scorpion (!) and a spider. Apparently, the rarer Mazon Creek animals are a thing with Phil...
This is a nicely detailed specimen. Unfortunately, he could only find the one half when he found back in November 2023. Thanks for sharing, Phil!
