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 examples 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 giant cephalopod identified as Brachycycloceras, but after some research, I am changing my identification 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 stay. Therefore, I brought along my sample, specimen CG-0025. After reviewing and identifying 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 was closely aligned with Solenochilus. The Carnegie Museum specimen comes from the Pine Creek Limestone. The rock appeared very similar to Pine Creek limestone in Ford City, where I found several gastropods and a few cephalopod fragments.
Other genera 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 | . | . | ✗ | ✗ |
| Domatoceras 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