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Fossil Friday #174: A Jellyfish with a Secret

This is the “Fossil Friday” post #174.  Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website.  We will post any fossil pictures you send in to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Please include a short description or story.  Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!

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Mazon Creek concretions come in many shapes and sizes.  Quite often, the shape of a concretion is a clue to what type of fossil might be inside.  The Pit 11 concretion shown below has a shape that is usually an Essexella asherae, which is a very common fossil from Pit 11.  However, that oval shape has been known to yield a nice shrimp.

The concretion opened after cycling for a couple months to reveal a nondescript jellyfish.

However, there was a crack in the surface of one half.  Removing the cupped out piece…  

…. revealed a shrimp under the jelly!

It’s not the best shrimp and it’s only a partial, but it leaves me wondering how many jellies have nice fish, insects, tullies, and spiders hidden underneath?!?

 

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