I have a question.I live in Middle Tennessee, in Cumberland City,and recently found several dozen small sponges no larger than a .38 bullet, all cupped shaped, with a hollow depression in the middle.All the sponges that were attached to a rock formation are upside down, with the hollow area firmly cemented on the stone. Do you have any idea of what species it could be?
Dan,
It sounds like it might be Mississippian in age. Do you know if that’s the case? IN either case, I have very little knowledge of sponges in that area. You probably need to contact Dan Phelps of the Kentucky Paleo Society. Dan Phelps specializes in sponges and may be familiar with central Tennessee fossils. I’ll send his email address to you via email so it is not public.
I suggest emailing him photos of your specimens. It may not be possible to identify the species of your specimens without in person handling. He can decide that. Thanks for asking, though.
Bill Heimbrock
I have a question.I live in Middle Tennessee, in Cumberland City,and recently found several dozen small sponges no larger than a .38 bullet, all cupped shaped, with a hollow depression in the middle.All the sponges that were attached to a rock formation are upside down, with the hollow area firmly cemented on the stone. Do you have any idea of what species it could be?
Dan,
It sounds like it might be Mississippian in age. Do you know if that’s the case? IN either case, I have very little knowledge of sponges in that area. You probably need to contact Dan Phelps of the Kentucky Paleo Society. Dan Phelps specializes in sponges and may be familiar with central Tennessee fossils. I’ll send his email address to you via email so it is not public.
I suggest emailing him photos of your specimens. It may not be possible to identify the species of your specimens without in person handling. He can decide that. Thanks for asking, though.
Bill Heimbrock