Specimen 53134 – myFOSSIL

Danielle Manley posted a new specimen. 6 years, 1 month ago

6 years, 1 month ago

6 years, 1 month ago

Danielle Manley has contributed specimen mFeM 53134 to myFOSSIL!
- Jennifer Bauer replied 4 years, 3 months ago
  
  Hi, @danielle-manley – Is this more than one specimen? How were you able to identify it as a dugong?
  @jeanette-pirlo may be able to confirm your identification.
  - Jeanette Pirlo replied 4 years, 3 months ago
    
    Def a dugong rib. you can even see some boaring clam holes in the second picture! Anyway, it’s dugong because if you look at the third image, you don’t see any of the spongy bone tissue, which is true for dugongs. Since they are literal balls of fat, they need to have very dense bones to help them sink and swim. As dugongs are bottom feeders…[Read more]
    - Jennifer Bauer replied 4 years, 3 months ago
      
      Thanks, @jeanette-pirlo!

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- The Linnaean classification system is used to aid in communication about different groups of life on Earth. There are several organizations such as the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature that provide guidelines for the usage or complications with the naming of animals. Similarly, there is a different organization that has guidelines and rules for the naming of plant life.

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How do I go figuring out the age and name of the rock I was collecting in?
- A starting place would be to ask the group or organization that you went collecting with for information on the outcrop you visited. There are also several apps for your mobile phone or other devices that can help you better estimate where you are in geologic time. Mancos costs $2.99 through the Apple Store and provides you with data on your location including geologic age, the rock formation, description of the rock, what units are above and below, and what sort of fossils you should expect to find in the rock. Rockd is free and available in the Apple Store and on Google Play. Similarly, Rockd tells you where are with latitude and longitude data, elevation, what age, what the rock type is, what rock unit you are on, and the functionality continues. You are able to check in at outcrops, use a compass, examine ancient continent arrangements, and learn about different rock forming minerals within the app.
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How do I get latitude and longitude data?
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- On Apple devices, you can go to the Compass app (comes pre-downloaded on your device) and it has your latitude/longitude and elevation information
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What is the difference between a group, formation, and member?
- Similar to Linnaean classification, there is a hierarchical structure to rocks. A member is a distinct part of a formation. A formation can be made up of many members. Formations form the primary basis of subdivisions of a sequence and can vary in thickness (centimeters to kilometers). A group is several formations that share similar features or characteristics in the rocks they bear.
- Click here for more information from the British Geological Survey.

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I’m concerned my specimen is not research grade material, does that matter?
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