Lace Coral / Bryozoan
Bryozoa cf. Hornera or similar fenestrate/reticulate colony structure • Marine invertebrate body fossil / colony fragment
Geological Period
Cenozoic (likely Neogene to Recent)
Estimated Age
0 to 23 million years
Preservation Type
Unaltered or lightly calcified original skeletal remains (calcium carbonate)
Condition Assessment
Good condition with minor edge wear and surface dusting, mostly intact fragile branching structure
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum Bryozoa, Class Stenolaemata, Order Cyclostomatida
Morphological Description
Delicate, flat, branching, lace-like colony with porous skeletal framework (zooecia), displaying parallel striations, radiating branchlets, and fenestrated networks.
Rock Matrix
None visible, completely cleaned of matrix
Formation & Location
Coastal marine deposits worldwide, commonly found in Miocene to Recent shallow marine sediments
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 8 to 12 cm across, consistent with typical colony fragments
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $40
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50
Rarity Assessment
Common
Scientific Significance
Illustrates colonial growth forms and skeletal architecture of marine bryozoans, important for paleoecological reconstruction of shallow shelf environments
Preparation Recommendations
Store in a dry, stable environment; handle with care due to extreme fragility; gentle dusting with a soft brush for cleaning
Notable Features
Intricate open-work lace pattern with visible pore structures and aligned feeding chamber traces across the flat laminar surface