Help IDing some possible beach fossils

Pino

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Help ID'ing some possible beach fossils

In the past year, I've come to taking a liking to beach combing. With the freetime I have now that I've graduated, I have really been spending more time scouring the shores than in the past.

Anyways, besides the obvious shark teeth and sea glass that I grab, I have been collecting some pieces that I believe may be petrified wood and fossils. Right now, I am really looking to identify the two below. They were both found on the beach in Northeast Florida (specifically, near Ponte Vedra Beach). The first one, to me, seems like a petrified half of a nut shell or seed. I would like to point out that I am not too knowledgeable, yet, on this, so for all I know, they could both just be worn pieces of shells that wear into unique shapes.

Unknown piece #1:
piece1_bottom.png
Note: the side facing the camera is concave
piece1_back.png

piece1_side.png

piece1_top.png


Unknown piece #2"
piece2_front.png

piece2_side.png

piece2_top.png
 

Re: Help ID'ing some possible beach fossils

These appear to be beach-worn bits of hyperostotic fishbone. These "Tilly bones" are typically overgrowths on fish spines. They are common as fossils.
 

Re: Help ID'ing some possible beach fossils

Thank you, Harry.

I have another piece that looks similar to what was shown in this thread: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,327567.0.html , so I figured that was also a tilly bone (minus the elongated portion). Tilly bones, although common, appear to come in many shapes and sizes with the variances of wear that they receive. I keep finding different images to use as examples when identifying. I guess with time comes practice.
 

Re: Help ID'ing some possible beach fossils

Pino said:
Thank you, Harry.

I have another piece that looks similar to what was shown in this thread: http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,327567.0.html , so I figured that was also a tilly bone (minus the elongated portion). Tilly bones, although common, appear to come in many shapes and sizes with the variances of wear that they receive. I keep finding different images to use as examples when identifying. I guess with time comes practice.
You are certainly welcome, 'Pino'.

You're right, these Tilly bones are highly variable. It's usually the bi-lateral symmetry that is the first clue to their identity, even without vascular foramina or a spinous process. When preserved as fossils, they seem very dense or highly mineralized. They may take on a beach-polish as did yours.
 

Re: Help ID'ing some possible beach fossils

#2 is fish Vert. #1 Tilly Bone ( Fish Brain)
 

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