Mazonovais anoogenusoffossilized eggsfrom theMazon Creekarea in thePennsylvanianofIllinois.They are laid in long strings of eggs enclosed in a gelatinous sheath containing one or two rows of eggs. It is unknown what kind of animal laid the eggs.[1]
| Mazonova Temporal range:
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|---|---|
Egg fossil classification
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| Oogenus: | †Mazonova Godfrey, 1995 |
| Type oospecies | |
| †Mazonova helmichnus Godfrey, 1995
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Description
editMazonovais known from seven specimens. They are represented by fossilized impressions of long strands of eggs encased in a gelatinous sheath. In some specimens, the eggs are paired, whereas others have only a single row. The eggs are 1.5 to 1.7 mm in diameter, and the sheath is 3.0 to 3.8 mm in diameter.[1]
Classification
editPaleozoiceggs are rare in the fossil record.[citation needed]Somecoelacantheggs (belonging toRhabdoderma exiquum) are known, as well as the eggs of sharks, butMazonovais quite distinct. They closely resemble the strands of eggs laid by some modernfishandamphibians,as well asopisthobranchmollusks.However, the eggs are far too large to be mollusk eggs, indicating they represent eggs of a vertebrate, though it is impossible to assign them to anyorder.There are several fish and amphibians from the Mazon Creek that could have spawnedMazonova.[1]
References
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