Specimen 59389 – myFOSSIL

Martin Fowler posted a new specimen. 4 years, 1 month ago

4 years, 1 month ago

4 years, 1 month ago

Martin Fowler has contributed specimen mFeM 59389 to myFOSSIL!
- Sam Ocon replied 4 years ago
  
  Good morning, @martin-fowler! Would you be interested in making this specimen research grade for the myFOSSIL eMuseum? If so, I can walk you through a few steps to get it there.
  - Martin Fowler replied 4 years ago
    
    Hi Samantha. Certainly! Do let me know what needs to be done.
    - Sam Ocon replied 4 years ago
      
      Wonderful! The first step would be to upload a few more photos so we can get a concept of the overall specimen – although this looks like a compression fossil, so we probably just need a few more of this side. We can also narrow down the classification of this organism. I know that @jim-barkley collects in the Green River and he may have some…[Read more]
      
      Martin Fowler replied 4 years ago
      
      Ah! The specimen is currently on loan to Dr Viktor Baranov at the University of Munich as he has offered to try and identify the insect. Maybe we should wait until I hear back from him with his opinion and get the specimen back so that I can take some more photos?
      
      Sam Ocon replied 4 years ago
      
      Sounds good. I’m excited to know what he thinks it may be!
      
      Martin Fowler replied 4 years ago
      
      I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back from him.

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Why do we need to include phylum, class, order, family, if the species is the important part?
- 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.
- Post in the Ideas for New Forums forum and suggest a new forum for geologic time and/or stratigraphy to get a community discussion going and get input from experts.

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.

What tags are useful for my specimen?
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I’m concerned my specimen is not research grade material, does that matter?
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