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All, While in the process of breaking down, picking and sorting a 'fish tooth conglomerate' from Blue Hills Shale of north-central Kansas, we have encountered a number (more than 20) unusual, tiny, but very distinct fossils that, so far, have defied identification. Rather than continuing to call them "black thingys", I have put pictures of them up on a temporary webpage in hopes that someone out there has come across them before (and can provide an identification). Web page is here: http://www.oceansofkansas.com/temp.html The objects are variable in size with the largest being slightly over 2 mm in length. Most are just over 1 mm in length. All are bilaterally symmetrical, smooth and shiny black on the 'top', with a fragile (usually missing or broken) stem or 'root-like' projection on the bottom. Ideas so far include scales, or phosphatic steinkerns of some unknown invertebrate.... Any suggestions appreciated. Sorry for the blurred photos in some views.... The objects are well rounded, and it is difficult to get the views in the same focal plane under the microscope.... A description of the complete fauna from this site is the subject of a paper in preparation by Mike Everhart, Pamela Everhart, Earl Manning and Donald Hattin. Regards, Mike Everhart Adjunct Curator of Paleontology Sternberg Museum of Natural History Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS http://www.oceansofkansas.com
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