New Finds of Myelodactylus convolutus

 My cousin Kenny has found two new Myelodactylus convolutus (Hall, 1852) fossils in the last month. This criniod is somewhat unique as it is usually found coiled with its small calyx hidden inside the coil. They remind one of a modern millipede. Both specimens were found from Waldron Shale at the same quarry in Clark County, Indiana, USA. These fossils date to the Silurian Period.

Coiled Crinoid Stem Fossil

 

These pictures are of a coiled crinoid fossil. It was found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. The fossil dates to the Silurian Period.

Compound Eye of Glyptambon verruscous Trilobite

 

Nice close up picture of the ventral view of Glyptambon verruscosus (Hall, 1854) trilobite compound eye fossil. Fossil was found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County, Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period. Thanks to Kenny for the images.

28th Annual Digging the Past Event

 

Yesterday I volunteered at the Falls of the Ohio State Park (Clarksville, Indiana USA) where I spent about 5 hours setting up, identifying and digging up Silurian fossils for visitors to the park. Most of my time was at the Waldron Shale piles containing Silurian period fossils. The main building was closed due to the air conditioning system being replaced. It has been hot this last week and as a result there was a very light turn out, maybe the fewest number of people I have seen since I started volunteering at this annual event.

The heavy rain the night before revealed a number of fossils on the surface but it was extremely muddy and I almost lost my shoe several times getting stuck in the mud. After splitting some of the shale rocks, I found several Eucalyptocrinites crinoid cups and a holdfast, and brachiopods which I gave away to visitors. One visitor found two trilobite pygidium imprints of a Dalamites and Arctinerus.

 

These next images show Fardenia brachiopod fossil imprints.

All in all a somewhat nice day. It was in the 80s F in the morning and was getting hotter by noon. Working in the shale piles was muddy. I did not get to check out how the mineral piles or Devonian period fossil piles were going. The Devonian one was very mucky and wet.

Trimerus delphinocephalus Trilobite Eye Fossil

This Trimerus delphinocephalus (Green, 1832) trilobite fossil was found this month. The first picture is a close up of its complex eye.

Fossil was found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County, Indiana, USA. It dates to about 419 million years ago which is the Silurian Period. Thanks to Kenny for the images.

 

Cheirarus dilatatus Trilobite Fossil

This post is of a trilobite cephalon fossil called Cheirarus dilatatus (Raymond, 1916). Fossil was found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Crinoid Holdfast on a Crinoid Calyx

This post is of an Eucalyptocrinites (Goldfuss, 1831) holdfast fossil that grew on a fallen Eucalyptocrinites crassus (Hall, 1863) calyx cup. Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Caryocrinites persculptis Blastoid Fossil

This post is of a cystoid fossil called Caryocrinites persculptis (Springer). Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

 

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Duncanella borealis Horn Corals

This post is of a horn coral fossil called Duncanella borealis  (Nicholson, 1889). Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Favosites occidentalis Coral Fossil

 

This post is of a coral fossil called Favosites occidentalis (Hall, 1875). Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Platyceras niagarense with Cornulites proprius

This post is of two fossils: the gastropod Platyceras (Platystoma) niagarense (Hall, 1852) with several worm tubes known as Cornulites proprius. Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Waldron Shale Desmograptus Graptolite Fossil

 

This post is a fossil called Desmograptus sp. (Hopkinson, 1875) graptolite. Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period. The fossil is black due to carbon-film preservation.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Dawsonoceras amycus Cephalopod Fossil

This cephalopod fossil is called Dawsonoceras amycus.  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Bellerphon tuber Gastropod Fossil

This rare gastropod fossil is called Bellerphon tuber (genus:Montfort, 1808).  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Glyptambon verrucosus Trilobite Pygidium Fossil

 

The picture above is of a pygidium of a trilobite fossil called Glyptambon verrucosus (Hall, 1854).  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Pyrite Leptaena rhomboidalis Fossil

The picture above is of a pyrite brachiopod fossil called Leptaena rhomboidalis (Wahlenberg, 1818).  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Lyriocrinus melissa Crinoid Fossil

A very nicely preserved crinoid fossil called Lyriocrinus melissa (Hall, 1863).  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period. 

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

 

Leptaena rhomboidalis Brachiopod Fossil

Today's post is of a brachiopod fossil called Leptaena rhomboidalis (Wahlenberg, 1818).  Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Desmograptus Graptolite Fossil

This post is a fossil called Desmograptus sp. (Hopkinson, 1875) graptolite. Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period. The fossil is black due to carbon-film preservation.

Fossil on display at Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center Clarksville Indiana USA as of December 2022.

Pyrite Fenestella acmea Bryozoan Fossil

 

Saturday I gave a talk at the Falls of the Ohio Interpretative Center entitled "Fossils Around Us - You Don't Always Have to Go to the Wilds of Nature to Find Creatures of the Past". This presentation was about fossils one can find in buildings and other human constructed objects. 

After finishing I checked out the Waldron Shale Fossil exhibit at the center. Lots of Silurian Period fossils to look at in the display case.

Highlighted in this post is a fossil called Fenestella acmea (Hall) bryozoan fossil. Fossil found in the Waldron Shale of Clark County Indiana USA. It dates to the Silurian Period. Very nice specimen as it is coated in pyrite.