Fossils B/C

[GoofyFoofer]

Does anybody have some tips on what to add besides papers for each taxa
Thanks.

I just wanted to reask (is that a word?) this question.
Thanks.

Time period
Nicknames
Meaning in Latin/Greek
Size
Whether it is an index fossil

Oh well I meant like what to add besides the info on specific genera.

But thanks anyways!

[GoofyFoofer]

Sorry I'm asking you guys so many questions, but...
Which diagrams and things like that should I include in my binder?
Thanks!

[azuritemalachite]

Sorry I'm asking you guys so many questions, but...
Which diagrams and things like that should I include in my binder?
Thanks!

Also put mode of life if you didn't.
Relative dating needs some diagrams as well as the parts of the ocean (habitat)

[DarkZephyr]

Can someone help me distinguish between Platystrophia and Mucrospirifer? Thanks

[fantasyfan]

Can someone help me distinguish between Platystrophia and Mucrospirifer? Thanks

The hinge of Platystrophia is usually less than 180 deg, while Mucrospirifer usually has a straight hinge.
Platystrophia is usually also closer to a square, while Mucrospirifer tends to be much longer than it is wide (less reliable than the first point)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... vician.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... _valve.jpg
sorry for not uploading the actual images

[GoofyFoofer]

Can someone help me distinguish between Platystrophia and Mucrospirifer? Thanks

The hinge of Platystrophia is usually less than 180 deg, while Mucrospirifer usually has a straight hinge.
Platystrophia is usually also closer to a square, while Mucrospirifer tends to be much longer than it is wide (less reliable than the first point)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... vician.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... _valve.jpg
sorry for not uploading the actual images

Yes. Also, Mucrospirifer tends to be longer in relation to its width than Platystrophia, though this isn't always the case, and Mucrospirifer often has those little pokey thingies at either end of the hinge

[DarkZephyr]

Thanks guys! I think the second point might be a little sketchy because the tips of mucrospirifer could be broken off, making it appear more rectangular. The hinge line detail is very helpful though, thanks!

[wufactor2012]

Hi guys,
I was just wondering that if wikipedia conflicts with another paleontology database about temporal ranges, which one should I go with?

Thanks,
Wufactor2012

[dunkleosteusly]

Hi guys,
I was just wondering that if wikipedia conflicts with another paleontology database about temporal ranges, which one should I go with?

Thanks,
Wufactor2012

You should go with the Smithsonian Handbook as the primary authority on stratigraphic (temporal) ranges, and then to the Audubon if it's not in the Smithsonian. (See the official rules for this clarification). If neither the Smithsonian or Audubon has the stratigraphic range, then I'd go with the next most trustworthy source you can find (probably not Wikipedia) and note where you got the information from. It might be a little overkill but you can probably find more region-specific field guides that can tell you more about the stratigraphic ranges.

[dunkleosteusly]

Can someone help me distinguish between Platystrophia and Mucrospirifer? Thanks

It might not be super apparent in just top-down views in photos, but Platystrophia is much thicker (more three-dimensional? more voluminous?) than Mucrospirifer. So in competitions, if you're given real specimens, that distinction becomes rather clear. If you're just given photos though, the previous suggestions about the width/length ratios are pretty good.