If I find a large convolute cephalopod in local Brush Creek Limestone, it’s usually the genus Metacoceras. Each find is a unique opportunity to study the genus as a whole. It’s the luck of the draw that determines how each will present itself, once a rock hammer breaks open aRead More →
Without a doubt, the genus Metacoceras is one of the two most common cephalopod genera found locally. This particular specimen preserves inner chambers. It did split in half while I was recovering it, but to my surprise, everything remained intact. Individual septal wall/suture lines can be seen on close inspection.Read More →
In writing the most recent research article, Aviculopinna, I set up an area to photograph specimens. While having this setup available, I went ahead and re-photographed the first seven specimens in the fossil catalog. Specimen CG-0001 John Harper identified this specimen as possibly being Orthotetes, a brachiopod. The preservation isRead More →
This Solenochilus, an extinct genus of paleozoic cephalopod, was found today (Late August 2020) after splitting a piece of float limestone half-buried in the mud at creek level upstream in Guffy Run. The rock was three inches thick and had a long rectangular shape. A heavy blow to the centerRead More →
This is a nicer than usual specimen of Metacoceras I wanted to share today. The matrix that preserves the shell is softer and was exposed at the end of the boulder. I may clean it up further, however, being fragile I may not be able to get much closer withoutRead More →
Update: Royal Mapes has helped me identify this as Schistoceras. After sketching the suture pattern, this was the best genus in my opinion, but I did not know based on the shell ornamentation and the size. Mapes confirmed my suspicion based on suture pattern, conch width and ornamentation. I haveRead More →
This is now the smallest example of Solenochilus I’ve found locally to date. I have a large store of limestone boulders that are all collected within 1,000 feet. The boulder was surprisingly devoid of other macro fossils, such as brachiopods or clams. PhotosRead More →
I have several specimens of Metacoceras piling up as I work on prepping them for display or storage. In prepping, I typically remove additional matrix, and I remove matrix covering details of the specimens. The white marks are a result of using an air-scribe to remove matrix. This tool strikesRead More →
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 GenusRead More →
Largely complete, this specimen of Metacoceras, a Paleozoic Cephalopod, was found in a local stream. Facedown in the water, the limestone surface had been eroded by moving water for a period of time. The familiar conch shape of the genus Metacoceras was immediately recognizable. I used a small sledgehammer toRead More →