Tennessee State Fossil - Pterotrigonia Pelecypod

The Pterotrigonia thoracica (Morton, 1834) pelecypod is the official state fossil of Tennessee. It existed during the Cretaceous Period (about 70 million years ago). This fossil was found in McNairy County, Tennessee (Coon Creek Formation).

Learn more about these fossils at the Coon Creek Science Center web site: http://www.memphismuseums.org/coon_creek-overview

Fossils from the Herb Miracle collection.

Strophodonta striata Brachiopod Fossil

Here is a picture of what appears to be a Strophodonta striata brachiopod fossil. The pyritized fossil is from the Silurian Period. It was found in the Waldron Shale of Indiana, USA.

Thanks to Kenny for the picture.

Coelacanth Fossil Fish

These images show a "lobe-fin" fish fossil that is an unnamed species of coelacanth. It was found in 1996 by the Cincinnati Museum Center in Favret Formation of Pershing County, Nevada, USA. It dates to the Middle Triassic Period (220 million years ago). This fossil was on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center as of August 2013.

This last image is a model of a living coelacanth. It is called the "living fossil" Latimeria chalumnae.