The local limestone stratigraphy gives paleontologists ample opportunity to find specimens from the class Cephalopoda. These layers are all exposed as part of the Glenshaw formation, the dominant formation within Parks Township. The specimens below represent a few of the many different cephalopods genera that are available.
Found Cephalopod Genus from the Glenshaw Formation
The following are single examples of each genus. I originally had the large cephalopod identified as Brachycycloceras, but after some research, I am changing my identification back to Solenochilus. During a visit to the Carnegie Museum, there was only one specimen, CM 29726 available to review, and it was re-cataloged during my visit. I brought along my specimen, specimen CG-0025. After review and identification of its genus, we tracked down an example they had, which came from nearby Sewickley, PA.
After showing photos of the specimen to Royal Mapes, his opinion was different. He said that CM 29726 was defiantly not a Brachycycloceras and closer aligned with Solenochilus. The Carnegie Museum specimen comes from the Pine Creek Limestone. The way the rock appeared was very similar to Pine Creek limestone in Ford City where I have found a number of gastropods and a few cephalopod fragments.
There are other genera that have been recovered. These specimens need to be photographed and added to this list. They include Domotoceras sp., Metacoceras clinocostatum, and Schistoceras sp.
| Species | Brush Creek | Pine Creek | Woods Run | Ames |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pseudortoceras knoxense | ✗ | ✗ | . | ✗ |
| Mooreoceras normale | ✗ | . | . | ✗ |
| Poterioceras curtum | ✗ | . | . | ✗ |
| Ephippioceras ferratum | ✗ | . | ✗ | . |
| Megaglossoceras sp. | ✗ | ? | . | . |
| Liroceras sp. | ✗ | . | . | . |
| Metacoceras cornutum | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Metacoceras perelegans | ✗ | ✗ | . | ✗ |
| Tainoceras monilifer | . | . | ✗ | ✗ |
| Domotoceras sp. | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Solenochilus brammeri? | ✗ | ✗ | . | . |
| Pennoceras seamani | ✗ | ? | . | . |
| Eoasianites sp. | ✗ | . | . | . |
| Schistoceras hildrethi | ✗ | . | ✗ | ✗ |
| Schistoceras missouriense | ✗ | . | . | . |
Miller & Unklesbay, 1942, The Cephalopod Fauna of the Conemaugh series in Western Pennsylvania, Annals of the Carnegie Museum
Metacoceras Group Photo
Solenochilus Specimens
Pseudorthoceras knoxense Group
Schistoceras
Ammonoids are generally rare from the local Glenshaw formation. As of December 2021, I have only recovered four examples, one from the Brush Creek limestone locally and three from the Pine Creek limestone in nearby Kittanning. At least two of them are from the genus Schistoceras.
References
- 1942, Miller & Unklesbay, The Cephalopod Fauna of the Conemaugh series in Western Pennsylvania, Annals of the Carnegie Museum