Acanthotelson stimpsoni
Class Crustacea, Order Syncarida
Geological Time: Pennsylvanian (~300 million years ago)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 35 mm long (plus antennae); Matrix: 42 mm by 49 mm. and 52 mm by 45 mm nodule pair
Fossil Site: Mazon Creek, Francis Creek Shale, Braidwood, Illinois
Code: CBF02
Price: Sold
 Description:
The Mazon Creek deposits of the region near Braidwood, Illinois
rival the other famous Lagerstatten of the Burgess Shale, Solnhofen,
and Liaoning for the variety of detailed life preserved. Many exquisitely-preserved
specimens are found in the  ironstone nodules that make up the deposits.
The majority of collecting areas are the spoil heaps of abandoned
coal mines, the most famous of which is Peabody Coal Pit 11. Pit
11 now serves as a cooling pond for the Braidwood nuclear power
plant, but with over 100 other localities, specimens still come
to light such as this one from Mazon Creek proper. This specimen
is a dorsal example of a genus that had a well-sclerotized cuticle,
making for fine preservation with distinct segmental rings. The
styliform telson is most distinctive. |
