ancient coral colony

[huntress104]

found this in a river in south Christian Co. KY. It is the largest coral colony I have ever seen. You can see the rings and ridges of the coral very well. The water level was low in the river and it was found in about 1 foot of water.

[Harry Pristis]

Interesting specimen with lots of eye-appeal!

[Harry Pristis]

I think your coral is a rugose colonial coral, though I don't know which one. Someone who works with corals might identify your specimen right away.

Here is an image of a rugose colonial coral from the Midwest, a Lithostrotionella. I don't think that this is the same as yours, 'huntress', because the corallites of my specimen are prismatic (flat-sided hexagons), rather than round.

[huntress104]

I think your coral is a rugose colonial coral, though I don't know which one. Someone who works with corals might identify your specimen right away.

Here is an image of a rugose colonial coral from the Midwest, a Lithostrotionella. I don't think that this is the same as yours, 'huntress', because the corallites of my specimen are prismatic (flat-sided hexagons), rather than round.

Harry I was thinking rugosa coral too. Although you can't tell it in the picture, the coral has the hexagon sides to it. It looks just like the one you have pictured. I went back to the rocky outcrop where I found that specimen and took pictures of more and bigger colonies of the coral still embedded in the rock. There are some huge pieces of rugosa coral in the limestone all along the river bank. I found one about 4" long and as big around as a nickle. It was firmly planted in the limestone and I could not bring it home. It was a beauty. I can post the pics I have of these if you are interested in seeing them.

[Harry Pristis]

Sure, 'huntress' . . . show us your pictures of the coral!

[huntress104]

Sure, 'huntress' . . . show us your pictures of the coral!

Ok Harry here are the pictures you wanted to see....I have included a couple of the river too. It is really a beautiful place and the deepest part of it right now is only knee deep.

[Harry Pristis]

That is a very pretty stream, 'huntress'! I have spent many an hour walking streams like that (or smaller) in Indiana when I lived there. But, I never found a coral reef like yours.

Though the corals are imbedded in a hard limestone, there should be many specimens lying on the bottom of the stream. I'd like to add a specimen to my collection. If you find a decent, softball-size example that is surplus, contact me by PM. We'll work out a trade or something equitable.

------Harry Pristis

[huntress104]

That is a very pretty stream, 'huntress'! I have spent many an hour walking streams like that (or smaller) in Indiana when I lived there. But, I never found a coral reef like yours.

Though the corals are imbedded in a hard limestone, there should be many specimens lying on the bottom of the stream. I'd like to add a specimen to my collection. If you find a decent, softball-size example that is surplus, contact me by PM. We'll work out a trade or something equitable.

------Harry Pristis

I would be glad to send you a specimen when I find one. As you can see they are plentiful on that river.

[Harry Pristis]

That is a very pretty stream, 'huntress'! I have spent many an hour walking streams like that (or smaller) in Indiana when I lived there. But, I never found a coral reef like yours.

Though the corals are imbedded in a hard limestone, there should be many specimens lying on the bottom of the stream. I'd like to add a specimen to my collection. If you find a decent, softball-size example that is surplus, contact me by PM. We'll work out a trade or something equitable.

------Harry Pristis

I would be glad to send you a specimen when I find one. As you can see they are plentiful on that river.

That would be grand, 'huntress'.

The coiled fossil you found . . . Consider the possibility that it is a Bellerophontid. These occur in a good swath of Paleozoic deposits. They max out at about four inches. Look for a centerline or ridge following the exterior of the coil. No septa internally.