Re: paleonet Fossil Color

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Another example of this diagenetic color comes from Pliocene mollusks in the eastern U.S.  One species of Crepidula is frequently iron-stained around the muscle scar region; other species don't show this pattern.  Similarly, calcitic shells in these beds often are a gray or brown when aragonitic shells are white.  
 
-----Original message-----
From: Patricio Domínguez Alonso patricio@geo.ucm.es
Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2005 20:02:05 -0400
To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: Re: paleonet Fossil Color

>  
>  
>  Carl, 
>  In this case we must use comparative anatomy (or comparative histology). We must check also the symmetry (if any bilaterality or radiality is aplicable) of the colour pattern. 
>  Also is truth that some colour patterns are, in fact, the signature of some anatomical structure but not coloration. For example in some arthopods, it is comming to my mind the cranidium of Ectillaenus -Trilobita- where you can find muscle attachment scars. As the scars show a distictive not smoth surface, they sometimes shows two different colour in the fossils -presumibly not in the living animal-, iridiscent and pigmented by oxides (in the fossil!). Both are fairly common examples in the middle ordovician from Spain. However, from comparative anatomy we know that these spots are, in fact, muscle attachment. In contrast, spots or bands in moth's wings should be coloration patterns.
>  Patricio

    Dr. David Campbell 
    Old Seashells 
    University of Alabama 
    Biodiversity & Systematics 
    Dept. Biological Sciences 
    Box 870345 
    Tuscaloosa, AL  35487-0345 USA
    bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com

That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at Droitgate Spa