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Thursday, June 13, 2024

Turbinopsis shumardi Gastropod Fossil


Here are some pictures of a snail fossil known as Turbinopsis shumardi (de Verneuil). It was found in the Jeffersonville Limestone of Falls of the Ohio, Indiana USA. The fossils date to the Devonian Period. It was once part of the collection of southern Indiana paleontologist George K. Greene (1835-1917). It appeared that all of Greene's fossil collection was sold to American Museum of Natural History in New York City after his death but as it turns out there was one cabinet that was not sold and was past down to his descendants. 

The fossil species was named after Dr. Benjamin Franklin Shumard (1820-1869) a Louisville educated medical doctor who also collected and studied fossils.

This fossil is now on display at the Falls of the Ohio State Park Interpretive Center till September 2024 after that it will be transferred to the Indiana State Museum. George Greene's great-great-grandson William "Bill" Bishop passed away on November 29, 2023 and his wish that fossils be donated.