While extensively researching the Paleozoic shark genus Petalodus, I uncovered many holotype specimens. Yet, in searching, there are still a couple I have been unable to locate. Not finding some is not surprising; all the missing holotypes were described during the 19th century and the 1800s. I have spent theRead More →
Finding a fossilized Ammonoid in the Appalachian Basin is a rare occurrence. I’ve managed to find only a handful over a large number of trips. I have recovered a single one from the Brush Creek limestone and four from the Pine Creek limestone in four years of collecting. Mapes etRead More →
Parallelodon carbonarius (Cox 1857) is a bivalve with distribution from the older Pottsville Group to the younger Conemaugh Group in Ohio and Pennsylvania. This is the first specimen of this species that I have found in over three years of searching through the Brush Creek limestone and the Pine CreekRead More →
In doing broader research on three species of Strobeus that occur within the Glenshaw Formation in Western Pennsylvania, I have discovered many excellent plates by former authors. These plates are miniature works of art, capturing details of these fossil gastropods that may not be available in photographs. The art canRead More →
An excellent specimen of Trepospira sphaerulata was recovered in late December 2021. It is a much better example of this species of Paleozoic gastropod, so I am replacing the content of this article with photos of it. New images should help future researchers search for an excellent example of thisRead More →
Fossilized Paleozoic Ammonoids are a rare find in the Glenshaw Formation. When recovered, these specimens can be challenging to identify. I have recovered a few ammonoids, but as far as volume goes, the nautiloids rule the available fauna. I found my first ammonoid early, but I could not identify itRead More →
Asterophyllites have been a genus of fossil plants that I have been hunting for since I started collecting fossils locally. Today I was able to recover my first specimen of one. These are the branches that come out at the nodes of the genus Calamites. While these are two separateRead More →
The following are six cataloged specimens of Composita from the Brush Creek limestone within the Glenshaw Formation. Specimen CG-0258 is unique within the group, as it comes from a modified soft limestone and preserves features inside of the shell. Composita Sulcus Views The sulcus on Composita is very apparent andRead More →
Cordaites and Calamites are two familiar plants in the Late Pennsylvanian fossil fauna. The two are similar as fossils, presenting as long horizontal grooves in rocks. Cordaites differs from Calamites as the latter has a termination of the groves with occasional perpendicular grooves coming from the presence of nodes. IRead More →
Timothy Conrad’s description of the Paleozoic gastropod Turbo insectus in 1835 was an open and shut case. In his historic, single sentence description, he described and figured a new species of the genus Turbo. His was the first report of North American marine fossils of the Pennsylvanian age. Unfortunately, thisRead More →