FTIR MICRO-SPECTROSCOPY OF SCOLECODONT AND CONODONT MICROFOSSILS FROM THE WOODFORD SHALE, SOUTH-CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) micro-spectroscopy is a chemical characterization technique that has been utilized to discriminate between microfossils of unknown algal affinity. Here we report its utility in discriminating between animal microfossils as well. Select scolecodont and conodont microfossils from the Woodford Shale of south-central Oklahoma were analyzed with FTIR micro-spectroscopy to reveal different characteristic chemical structures and compositions. Data reveal that scolecodont elements can easily be distinguished from conodont elements with FTIR micro-spectroscopy as due to these chemical differences. This approach provides future fossil workers with a viable method to independently identify enigmatic tooth-like microfossils that cannot be confidently assigned to either scolecodont or conodont groups by morphology alone, particularly in basal assemblages.