Paleofauna of the Mazon Creek fossil beds
This is a list of the fauna of the Mazon Creek fossil beds, a Carboniferous lagerstätte located in Grundy County, Illinois. The site is famous for its exceptional preservation of soft bodied fossils inside of ironstone concretions, and was one of the first fossil sites discovered to preserve soft bodied fossils.
The Mazon Creek fossil beds are around 309-307 million years old, being approximately Moscovian in age. During the Carboniferous, this area was a lush, tropical delta system, about 10° north latitude of the equator. This ecosystem was formed by at least one river system that flowed in from the northeastern united states and met the ocean to form an Estuarine environment. This large amount of habitat led to the creation of a very diverse ecosystem, which has been divided into two main sections, the marine Essex fauna, and the terrestrial/freshwater Braidwood fauna. Since the site's discovery in the early 20th century, more than 700 species of flora and fauna have been discovered, some of which have only been found at this site. Because of the diverse habitat types, many different groups, such as arthropods, mollusks, hemichordates, cnidarians, chondrichthyans, actinopterygians, tetrapods and various other groups are represented.[1][2][3][4][5]
Fauna
Cnidaria
A number of Cnidarians are known from Mazon Creek, and show the diversity of taxa in the ecosystem.[6]
| Cnidaria | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Essexella | Cnidaria | Actiniaria |
|
One of the most abundant taxa from Mazon Creek, Originally described as a scyphozoan in 1979, but was later re-described as an actiniarian in 2023[7] | ||
| Reticulomedusa | Cnidaria | Incertae sedis |
|
Another cnidarian once described as a scyphozoan, but most likely represents a synonym of Essexella | ||
| Anthracomedusa | Cnidaria | Cubozoa |
|
A jellyfish, though not a member of the Scyphozoa (true jellyfish) but instead a cubozoan (box jellyfish) | ||
| Octomedusa | Cnidaria | Coronatae? |
|
A bizarre scyphozoan, originally considered to be a basal coronatan (crown jellyfish), however this has been questioned by later studies | ||
| Drevotella | Cnidaria | Hydroidolina |
|
A cnidarian, and a member of the Hydroidolina within the Hydrozoa | ||
| Mazohydra | Cnidaria | Hydroidolina |
|
Another hydrozoan, and one of the first fossil taxa from the class to be discovered[8] | ||
Annelida
A number of annelid worms are known from Mazon Creek.[9][6]
| Annelida | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Coprinoscolex | Annelida | Echiura |
|
Originally considered to be the oldest definitive echiuran (spoon worms), before the discovery of taxa from Castle Bank[10][11] | ||
| Rhaphidiophorus | Annelida | Amphinomida |
|
A member of the Amphinomida, and one of the earliest known members of the group, nicknamed the 'Oliver Hardy Worm'[12] | ||
| Esconites | Annelida | Eunicida |
|
A member of the Eunicida, showing the distinctive mouthparts, of the group, and reaches around 14 cm.[13] | ||
| Mazopherusa | Annelida | Terebellida |
|
A member of the Flabelligeridae family (fan worms), and one of the few known fossil taxa from the family[14] | ||
| Didontogaster | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Tummy Tooth Worm', named after the swollen section of its body containing the worms mouthparts | ||
| Levisettius | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Riccardo Worm' | ||
| Astreptoscolex | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Plain Worm' | ||
| Rutellifrons | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Shovel Nose Worm' | ||
| Pieckonia | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Fish Worm' | ||
| Fossundecima | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Simple Jaw Worm', one of the most common worms of the Essex Fauna | ||
| Dryptoscolex | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Rat Worm' | ||
| Hystriciola | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Baby Tooth Worm' | ||
| Fastuoscolex | Annelida | Phyllodocida |
|
A phyllodocid often nicknamed the 'Papillae Worm' | ||
Mollusca
A very large number of Mollusks are known from Mazon Creek, with Multiple classes being represented.[5]
Polyplacophora and Gastropoda
Various polyplacophorans (chitons) and gastropods (snails and their relatives) are known from the area.[5]
| Polyplacophora and Gastropoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Glaphurochiton | Polyplacophora | Lepidopleuridae |
|
A chiton found with a very well-preserved radula, which is almost identical to that of modern species[15] | ||
| Euphemites | Gastropoda (?) | Euphemitidae |
|
A bizarre mollusk belonging to the Bellerophontida, whose taxonomy has not yet been fully resolved[16] | ||
| Hypeselentoma | Gastropoda | Gosseletinidae |
|
A gosseletinid gastropod known from various other localities[17] | ||
| Straparollus[17] | Gastropoda | Straparollinidae |
|
|||
| Naticopsis | Gastropoda | Neritopsidae |
|
A gastropod who still has modern relatives in the same family[18] | ||
| Strobeus[17] | Gastropoda | Soleniscidae |
|
|||
Bivalvia
A large number of bivalves are known from Mazon Creek, and by far represent the most diverse and abundant group of mollusks from the area.
| Bivalvia | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Mazonomya | Solemyida | Solemyidae |
|
A solemyid, and one of the most abundant bivalves from Mazon Creek, known from the Chowder Flats locality among others, and often nicknamed 'Clam-Clam'[19] | ||
| Acharax | Solemyida | Solemyidae |
|
Members of the still living genus Acharax, and both known from the Essex Fauna | ||
| Myalina | Pteriida | Myalinidae |
|
Originally described as 'Myalinella', and like modern relatives, are known for their elongated, wing-like shells[20] | ||
| Anthraconaia | Pteriida | Myalinidae |
|
Known for its superficial resemblance to some modern mussels[21] | ||
| Anthraconauta | Pteriida | Myalinidae |
|
Known for its resemblance to Anthraconaia[21] | ||
| Leptodesma | Pteriida | Myalinidae |
|
A myalinid with a fossil record going back to the Silurian[22] | ||
| Posidonia[23] | Pteriida | Myalinidae |
|
|||
| Aviculopecten | Pectinida | Aviculopectinidae |
|
A wide ranging, and diverse genus of scallop, with the youngest record being in the upper Triassic[24] | ||
| Acanthopecten | Pectinida | Aviculopectinidae |
|
A similar scallop to the contemporary Aviculopecten, and a member of the same family[23] | ||
| Heteropecten | Pectinida | Aviculopectinidae |
|
Originally considered a synonym of Aviculopecten, before being recognized as a distinct taxon[23] | ||
| Euchondria | Pectinida | Aviculopectinidae |
|
This species usually attains lengths of 9–10 mm, while other species in the genus have been known to exceed 25 mm[25] | ||
| Dunbarella | Pectinida | Pterinopectinidae |
|
Some species in this genus may have been able to swim away from predators like extant taxa[26] | ||
| Palaeolima | Limida | Limidae |
|
An early member of the limidae, also known as file shells[27] | ||
| Schizodus | Trigoniida | Schizodidae |
|
An example of a schizodont, bivalves possessing reverse v-shaped scissurate hinge teeth[28] | ||
| Permophorus | Venerida | Permophoridae |
|
Known for its elongated, and thick valves, and known throughout the Carboniferous[29] | ||
| Edmondia | Adapedonta | Edmondiidae |
|
A distant relative of modern razor shells[30] | ||
| Sedgwickia | Adapedonta | Edmondiidae |
|
Another member of the Edmondiidae, and is rather uncommon at Mazon Creek[23] | ||
| Grammysioidea | Adapedonta | Edmondiidae |
|
A rarely found bivalve at Mazon Creek[23] | ||
Cephalopoda
A number of cephalopods are known from Mazon Creek, including shelled taxa, and basal coleoids.
| Cephalopoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Jeletzkya | Coleoidea | Belemnoidea |
|
A genus of basal coleoid within the Belemnoidea, however it is too poorly understood for a more specific placement, known from arms and radulas[31] | ||
| Bactrites | Neocephalopoda | Bactritidae |
|
A straight shelled (orthoconic) cephalopod, and a member of the Bactritida[32] | ||
| Wiedeyoceras | Ammonoidea | Wiedeyoceratidae |
|
A member of the Ammonoidea, more specifically a goniatite. Fossils of this genus have been tentatively reported from Mazon Creek[32] | ||
| Unidentified schistoceratid | Ammonoidea | Schistoceratidae |
|
Fossils from this site have been placed within the goniatite family Schistoceratidae, however genus level identification has not been found[32] | ||
| Stearoceras | Nautiloidea | Grypoceratidae |
|
A coil-shelled nautiloid, and a distant relative of modern nautilids[32] | ||
| Titanoceras | Nautiloidea | Grypoceratidae |
|
A fairly large sized member of the Grypoceratidae, with a shell diameter of around 8 in (20 cm) being recorded[32] | ||
| Paleocadmus | Cephalopoda | Incertae sedis |
|
A cephalopod from mazon creek only known from isolated radulas and a potential beak, often placed within the Nautiloidea, but the lack of body fossils renders even an order level identification as problematic[32] | ||
Brachiopoda
A small number of brachiopods are known from Mazon Creek.[33]
| Brachiopoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Lingula (?) | Brachiopoda | Lingulida |
|
A common brachiopod in the fossil record, however the majority of specimens most likely represent unrelated species, and definitive specimens of the genus are only known from the Cenozoic[34] | ||
| Orbiculoidea | Brachiopoda | Discinida |
|
Another common brachiopod in the fossil record, known for its near circular, disk-shaped shell[33] | ||
| Unidentified chonetoids | Brachiopoda | Strophomenida | Various species | Several undescribed brachiopods in Strophomenida order are known from the site[33] | ||
Echinodermata
Echinoderms are an undiverse faunal component of Mazon Creek.[33]
| Brachiopoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Achistrum | Holothuroidea | Achistridae |
|
A taxon of footless (without tube feet) sea cucumber known from various species from both North America and Europe[35] | ||
| Unidentified crinoids | Crinoidea | Various groups | Various species | A number of undescribed crinoids with stalks (sea lilies) are known from the area[33] | ||
Non-Arthropod Panarthropoda
A small number of non-arthropod panarthropods (notably onychophorans and similar taxa) are known from Mazon Creek.
| Non-Arthropod Panarthropoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Carbotubulus | Panarthropoda | Hallucigeniidae (?) |
|
One of the youngest known lobopodians in the fossil record, originally assigned to Hallucigeniidae, however this has been questioned by later studies[36] | ||
| Helenodora | Panarthropoda | Onychophora |
|
One of the oldest known onychophorans (velvet worms), originally considered a synonym of the contemporary Ilyodes[37][38] | ||
| Ilyodes | Panarthropoda | Incertae sedis |
|
Originally named as a myriapod in 1890, however, it may represent a nomen dubium, due to neither species being properly diagnosed | ||
| Palaeocampa | Panarthropoda | Aysheaiidae |
|
First known freshwater and toxic lobopodian, and the youngest known aysheaiid. Bears spines unlike any other known animal[39] | ||
Artiopoda
The artiopoda (including trilobites and their close relatives) are very rare from Mazon Creek, with only a singular taxon represented.
| Artiopoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Tardisia | Artiopoda | Vicissicaudata |
|
Latest known non-trilobite artiopod, and a close relative of the Cheloniellida[40] | ||
Chelicerata
A high number of arthropods belonging to the chelicerata subphylum are known from Mazon Creek.[33][41]
| Chelicerata | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Adelophthalmus | Eurypterida | Adelophthalmidae |
|
The only eurypterid from Mazon Creek, and the youngest member of the Eurypterina | ||
| Euproops | Xiphosura | Belinuridae |
|
A genus of xiphosurid related to modern horseshoe crabs, interestingly, juveniles may have been semi-aquatic, due to their bristle covered undersides[42] | ||
| Paleolimulus | Xiphosura | Paleolimulidae |
|
A wide ranging, and well known genus of xiphosuran, known from number of other deposits | ||
Arachnida
A large number of arachnids are known from Mazon Creek, with some belonging to extinct groups, while others represent some of the earliest appearances of crown-group lineages.
| Arachnida | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Aphantomartus | Trigonotarbida | Aphantomartidae |
|
A very small member of the Trigonotarbida, species from this genus are also known from areas outside of North America, including parts of Europe[43] | ||
| Pleophrynus | Trigonotarbida | Eophrynidae |
|
Another small sized trigonotarbid, its holotype specimen (ISM 14873) was discovered at Mazon Creek[44] | ||
| Unidentified anthracomartid | Trigonotarbida | Anthracomartidae |
|
An unidentified trigonotarbid from the Anthracomartidae family, and is very rare[45] | ||
| Lissomartus | Trigonotarbida | Lissomartidae |
|
A trigonotarbid, with both species known from North America, and belongs to its own family[45] | ||
| Geralinura | Uropygi | Incertae sedis |
|
An early whip scorpion, which possessed spined and non-chelate pedipalps, unlike modern genera[46] | ||
| Prothelyphonus | Uropygi | Incertae sedis |
|
A large, nearly 30 mm long whip scorpion, and one of the largest known members of its group from the Paleozoic[47] | ||
| Weygoldtina | Amblypygi | Weygoldtinidae |
|
A tailless whip scorpion, originally described under the Graeophonus genus, however, it was redescribed as its own taxon in 2018, with a second species known from Europe[48] | ||
| Thelyphrynus | Amblypygi | Incertae sedis |
|
Another amblypygid, distinguished by its bean shaped cephalothorax and the seeming lack of eyes[45] | ||
| Arthrolycosa | Araneae (?) | Arthrolycosidae |
|
A bizarre arachnid of the Arthrolycosidae family, suggested to be basal true spiders, however this remains somewhat contentious[49] | ||
| Curculioides | Ricinulei | Curculioididae |
|
A member of the Ricinulei, and known in Mazon Creek from three species, the one pictured here is C. scaber[45] | ||
| Amarixys | Ricinulei | Curculioididae |
|
Another ricinuleid known from three species[45] | ||
| Poliochera | Ricinulei | Poliocheridae |
|
Various species are known from other regions of North America[45] | ||
| Protosolpuga | Solifugae | Protosolpugidae |
|
The only known member of the Solifugae from the site, and a very rare taxon at Mazon Creek[45] | ||
| Eoscorpius | Scorpiones | Eoscorpiidae |
|
A wide ranging, and successful scorpion known from various localities from the lower Carboniferous-Lower Permian, with the type fossil coming from Mazon Creek[50] | ||
| Palaeobuthus | Scorpiones | Palaeobuthidae |
|
A modest sized scorpion, with the holotype specimen potentially reaching a length of around 55 mm long[45] | ||
| Kronoscorpio | Scorpiones | Kronoscorpionidae |
|
Another scorpion, and a more recent taxon described by Dunlop et al. 2013[51] | ||
| Palaeopisthacanthus | Scorpiones | Palaeopisthacanthidae |
|
A scorpion known from at least a very well-preserved holotype specimen[45] | ||
| Buthiscorpius | Scorpiones | Buthiscorpiidae |
|
Mazon creek is the type locality for this genus[51] | ||
| Eoctenus | Scorpiones | Eoctonidae |
|
The holotype of this taxon (YPM 131) was described by Petrunkevitch (1913)[45] | ||
| Hadrachne | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
This genus may represent a very old instar of the contemporary Architarbus[45] | ||
| Paratarbus | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
Known mainly for its somewhat convex prosomal margin[45] | ||
| Mesotarbus | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
The reconstruction to the right does not depict the species from Mazon Creek[45] | ||
| Architarbus | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
The namesake taxon of the Architarbidae family[45] | ||
| Mazonitarbus | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
Similarly to Hadrachne, this taxon may represent an instar of Architarbus[45] | ||
| Bicarinitarbus | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
The opisthosoma of this taxon possesses a pair of keels[45] | ||
| Phalangiotarbus | Phalangiotarbida | Architarbidae |
|
The namesake taxon of its order[45] | ||
| Nemastomoides | Opiliones | Nemastomoididae |
|
An early harvestmen, with two valid species, and one which has since been redescribed as a phalangiotarbid[52] | ||
| Douglassarachne | Arachnida | Pantetrapulmonata |
|
A unique species distinguished by the long spines on its limbs, it is unclear where this species places specifically within Arachnida[53] | ||
Mandibulata
A very large number of arthropods belonging to the mandibulata are known from Mazon Creek.
| Mandibulata | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Concavicaris | Thylacocephala | Concavicarida |
|
Bears an unusual terminal structure which may be a caudal furca[54] | ||
| Convexicaris | Thylacocephala | Concavicarida |
|
Bears eight pairs of trunk appendages[55] | ||
| Eodollocaris | Thylacocephala |
|
Resembles Mesozoic thylacocephalans like Dollocaris[55] | |||
| Pieckoxerxes | Euthycarcinoidea | Incertae sedis |
|
A euthycarcinoid (stem-myriapod), and like its relatives from Mazon Creek, is very rare[56] | ||
| Smithixerxes | Euthycarcinoidea | Kottixerxidae |
|
Another euthycarcinoid, known for its long telson and five tergites on its trunk region (which is a clear feature for distinguishing the Mazon Creek euthycarcinoids)[56] | ||
| Kottixerxes | Euthycarcinoidea | Kottixerxidae |
|
Another rare euthycarcinoid, of which only two specimens have been documented[56] | ||
Myriapoda
The myriapoda (centipedes, millipedes, and their close relatives) are known in moderately large numbers in Mazon Creek
| Myriapoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Amynilyspes | Diplopoda | Amynilyspedida |
|
An early pill millipede which featured long spines and prominent eyes, also known from Europe[57] | ||
| Unidentified Amynilyspedid | Diplopoda | Amynilyspedida |
|
A currently unnamed pill millipede which is notable due to its lack of spines | ||
| Euphoberia | Diplopoda | Euphoberiidae |
|
A basal, spiny millipede, curiously, juvenile individuals seemingly congregated together as a defense mechanism[58] | ||
| Acantherpestes | Diplopoda | Euphoberiidae |
|
Another euphoberiid, known for its laterally facing spines, and its potential liking to more open habitats[59] | ||
| Myriacantherpestes | Diplopoda | Euphoberiidae |
|
A euphoberiid characterized by its long spines and more flattened body[60] | ||
| Xyloiulus | Diplopoda | Xyloiulidae |
|
A flat-backed millipede, originally placed within the Spirobolida, however is now considered a problematic member of the Juliformia[61] | ||
| Pleurojulus | Diplopoda | Pleurojulidae |
|
A member of the Pleurojulida, a somewhat problematic group of millipedes whose relationship to other groups is unclear[62] | ||
| Zosterogrammus | Diplopoda | Zosterogrammidae |
|
A member of the Zosterogrammida, which superficially resemble modern polyzoniids, and extend from the Silurian-upper Carboniferous[63] | ||
| Arthropleura | Diplopoda | Arthropleuridae |
|
A giant diplopodan, and one of the most well-known arthropods in the fossil record, primarily inhabited more open environments away from coal swamps, and was potentially amphibious[64][65] | ||
| Archiulus | Diplopoda | Helminthomorpha |
|
A millipede of uncertain placement, and is not easily assignable to any order | ||
| Mazoscolopendra | Chilopoda | Scolopendromorpha |
|
A scolopendromorphid centipede of uncertain placement, however the original description suggested a placement within the Cryptopidae[66] | ||
| Palenarthrus | Chilopoda | Scolopendromorpha |
|
Another scolopendromorphid whose further taxonomy is questioned[67] | ||
| Latzelia | Chilopoda | Latzeliidae |
|
A member of the Scutigeromorpha, and was first described in 1890, in honor of Austrian zoologist Robert Latzel[68][69] | ||
Non-Hexapod Pancrustacea
A number of 'traditional' crustaceans are known from Mazon creek, with the majority belonging to extant groups.
| Non-Hexapod Pancrustacea | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Cryptocaris | Remipedia | Enantiopoda |
|
A basal remipede, and a close relative of the only other known fossil remipede, Tesnusocaris [70] | ||
| Kallidecthes | Aeschronectida | Kallidecthidae |
|
A member of the Aeschronectida, an extinct group distantly related to the stomatopods[71] | ||
| Tyrannophontes | Stomatopoda | Tyrannophontidae |
|
A basal mantis shrimp, unlike modern species, it seems that this taxon was most likely swimming above the seafloor, and was probably unable to have walked on the benthos[72] | ||
| Palaeocaris | Syncarida | Palaeocarididae |
|
A basal member of the Syncarida, also known from the older Manning Canyon Shale[73] | ||
| Acanthotelson | Syncarida | Acanthotelsonidae |
|
Another basal syncaridan, and one of the most common crustaceans known from Mazon Creek[74] | ||
| Palaeosyncaris[75] | Syncarida | Palaeocaridacea |
|
|||
| Belotelson | Belotelsonidea | Belotelsonidae |
|
One of the more well-known crustaceans from Mazon creek[76] | ||
| Lobetelson | Belotelsonidea | Belotelsonidae |
|
Another belotelsonid, one of the major differences between it and the contemporary Belotelson, is the formers larger tail-fan[76] | ||
| Peachocaris | Lophogastrida | Peachocarididae |
|
A member of the Lophogastrida, a group of shrimp-like crustaceans which are mainly confined to deep water pelagic marine environments in the present[77][78] | ||
| Anthracaris | Pygocephalomorpha | Pygocephalidae |
|
A peracaridian, and also known from deposits in Europe[79] | ||
| Mamayocaris | Pygocephalomorpha | Pygocephalidae |
|
Another member of the Pygocephalomorpha[80] | ||
| Anthracophausia | Mysidacea (?) | Incertae sedis |
|
a malacostracan of uncertain placement, potentially a member of the Mysidacea, but it's true placement is still problematic[81] | ||
| Essoidia | Mysidacea (?) | Incertae sedis |
|
Another potential mysidacean, often nicknamed the 'S-shrimp', due to its long posterior region and telson, often giving its fossils a curved shape[82] | ||
| Hesslerella | Isopoda | Phreatoicidea |
|
A basal isopod, and a relatively rare faunal component of Mazon creek, at the time of its description, it was the oldest known isopod[83] | ||
| Eucryptocaris | Tanaidacea | Anthracocarididae |
|
A member of the Tanaidacea, originally described as a species of Cryptocaris by Schram, 1974[82][84] | ||
| Dithyrocaris | Phyllocarida | Archaeostraca |
|
A wide ranging and diverse taxon of phyllocarid, the image on the right does not show the species from Mazon Creek, instead showing a species from the slightly older Breathitt Formation in Kentucky[85][86] | ||
| Kellibrooksia | Phyllocarida | Sairocarididae |
|
A phyllocarid belonging to the Hoplostraca order, and possesses an elongated trunk and telson[87] | ||
| Leaia | Spinicaudata | Leaiidae |
|
A clam shrimp within the Conchostraca, and represents the only group of branchiopods present at Mazon Creek[88] | ||
| Pemphilimnadiopsis | Spinicaudata | Pemphilimnadiopsidae |
|
Another clam shrimp, also known from China[89] | ||
| Illilepas | Cirripedia | Pedunculata |
|
A gooseneck barnacle, originally placed in the Praelepas genus before being redescribed as a separate taxon in 1986[90] | ||
| Americlus | Cyclida | Americlidae |
|
A crab-like crustacean belonging to the Cyclida, originally described under the Cyclus genus, and a well known taxon from Mazon Creek[91] | ||
| Dziklus | Cyclida | Americlidae |
|
Similarly to its contemporary relative, this cyclid was originally placed within the Cyclus genus before being redescribed in 2020[92] | ||
| Schramine | Cyclida | Schraminidae |
|
This species was originally placed within the Halicyne genus until its redescription in 2020[92] | ||
| Apionicon | Cyclida | Schraminidae |
|
The only known species was first discovered at Mazon Creek[93] | ||
| Geisina | Ostracoda | Geisinidae |
|
A genus of freshwater ostracod known from throughout the Carboniferous[94] | ||
| Paraparchites | Ostracoda | Paraparchitidae |
|
Another ostracod, members of this genus are known to have retained multiple shed molts, giving their carapaces a multi-layered look[95][96] | ||
Hexapoda
Members of the hexapoda (insects and their relatives) constitute the most diverse group of animals known from Mazon Creek
| Hexapoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Testajapyx | Diplura (?) | Testajapygidae |
|
A wingless non-insect hexapod of the Diplura, unlike modern relatives, this taxon had eyes and mouthparts more similar to those of true insects,[97] however, more recent studies have shown that this taxon may be a true insect, within the Dermaptera[98] | ||
| "Dasyleptus" | Archaeognatha | Dasyleptidae |
|
A basal wingless insect, the specimens from Mazon Creek are putative, with some publications considering them to be chimeric in nature[99] | ||
| Ramsdelepidion | Zygentoma (?) | Incertae sedis |
|
A large (6 cm long) hexapod of uncertain placement, with some publications arguing for several different placements, including among the Zygentoma, stem-group Hexapoda, or as a large ephemeropteran nymph[99] | ||
| Archimylacris | Blattoptera | Archimylacridae |
|
An early dictyopteran insect, and a "roachoid", despite its appearance, it wasn't closely related to true cockroaches[100] | ||
| Progonoblattina | Blattoptera | Gyroblattidae |
|
A roachoid, the holotype specimen (YPM IP 008412) was originally assigned to Megablattina, before being reassigned to Archoblattina, before finally being reassigned to Progonoblattina in 2023[101] | ||
| Mylacris | Blattoptera | Mylacridae |
|
A roachoid described in 1895[102] | ||
| Lithoneura | Ephemeroptera (?) | Syntonopteridae |
|
A possible early mayfly, while some studies have questioned this placement, others support it[103] | ||
| Syntonoptera | Ephemeroptera (?) | Syntonopteridae |
|
Another early mayfly of the Syntonopteridae[104] | ||
| Oligotypus | Meganisoptera | Paralogidae |
|
A relatively small member of the Meganisoptera (griffinflies), and known from various sites across Carboniferous and Permian strata[105] | ||
| Dragonympha | Meganisoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
A griffinfly known only from nymphal remains, of which, the adult form has not yet been confirmed amongst the already known meganisopteran taxa from the area[106] | ||
| Alanympha | Meganisoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
Only known from a forewing and plates belonging to a nymphal individual[106] | ||
| Paralogopsis | Meganisoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
Another griffinfly of uncertain placement within its order[105] | ||
| Carbonympha | 'Eomeganisoptera' | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Parapaolia[107] | Pterygota | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Sypharoptera | Diaphanopterodea (?) | Sypharopteridae |
|
A large insect of uncertain placement, but it may belong to the Diaphanopterodea[108] | ||
| Prochoroptera | Diaphanopterodea | Prochoropteridae |
|
A member of the Diaphanopterodea, a group that would go on to survive until the end of the Permian[109] | ||
| Eubleptus | Palaeodictyoptera | Eubleptidae |
|
A member of the Palaeodictyoptera, a group of large flying mainly herbivorous insects[110] | ||
| Lycodemas | Palaeodictyoptera | Lycocercidae |
|
Known from nymphal remains, including older instars[111] | ||
| Notorachis[105] | Palaeodictyoptera | Lycocercidae |
|
|||
| Mcluckiepteron | Palaeodictyoptera | Spilapteridae |
|
Named after the McLuckie family, who were prominent Mazon Creek collectors and early ESCONI members[112] | ||
| Homaloneura | Palaeodictyoptera | Spilapteridae |
|
The species on the right is H. ligeia | ||
| Bizarrea | Palaeodictyoptera | Spilapteridae |
|
A palaeodictyopteran known from larval remains[114] | ||
| Spilaptera | Palaeodictyoptera | Spilapteridae |
|
|||
| Mazothairos | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
A potentially giant palaeodictyopteran, and possibly one of the largest flying insects to have ever lived, however it is known from very fragmentary remains, so size estimates are tentative at best[115] | ||
| Mazonopterum | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
|||
| Amousus | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
|||
| Thesoneura | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
The image to the right is a replica model | ||
| Scepasma | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
|||
| Ametretus | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
|||
| Larryia | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
|||
| Mammia | Palaeodictyoptera | Homoiopteridae |
|
|||
| Hypermegethes | Palaeodictyoptera | Hypermegethidae |
|
Other species are known from deposits in Kansas[116] | ||
| Turnbullia | Palaeodictyoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Diexodus | Palaeodictyoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Palaiotaptus | Palaeodictyoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Eubrodia | Megasecoptera | Brodiidae |
|
A close relative of the palaeodictyopterans, with a similar ecological role as well[118] | ||
| Lameereites | Megasecoptera | Brodiidae |
|
A megasecopteran known from immature remains[119] | ||
| Mischoptera | Megasecoptera | Mischopteridae |
|
In the image on the right, B and C depict the species from Mazon creek, specifically the nymphal remains that have been found[120] | ||
| Adiphlebia | Paoliida | Anthracoptilidae |
|
A bizarre insect originally considered to have been one of the earliest beetles,[121] however more recent analyses suggest a placement as a sister taxa to the Dictyoptera[122] | ||
| Eucaenus | Hypoperlida | Eucaenidae |
|
A member of the Hypoperlida, a group of insects commonly thought to be a stem-group of the Paraneoptera[123] | ||
| Aenigmatodes | Polyneoptera | Hapalopteridae |
|
|||
| Protodictyon | Archaeorthoptera | Cacurgidae |
|
|||
| Spilomastax | Archaeorthoptera | Cacurgidae |
|
|||
| Cacurgus | Archaeorthoptera | Cacurgidae |
|
|||
| Heterologus | Archaeorthoptera | Cacurgidae |
|
|||
| Anthrakoris | Archaeorthoptera | Omaliaidae |
|
The family was recently renamed in order to remove confusion with the similar sounding beetle subfamily Omaliinae[125] | ||
| Narkema | Archaeorthoptera | Cnemidolestidae |
|
|||
| Dieconeura | Archaeorthoptera | Spanioderidae |
|
|||
| Miamia | Archaeorthoptera | Spanioderidae |
|
|||
| Lobeatta | Archaeorthoptera | Eoblattidae |
|
|||
| Anegertus | Archaeorthoptera | Eoblattidae |
|
|||
| Nectoptilus | Archaeorthoptera | Eoblattidae |
|
|||
| Gerarus | Archaeorthoptera | Geraridae |
|
A very common taxon from the Carboniferous, and known for its elongated and inflated thorax[128] | ||
| Genentomum | Archaeorthoptera | Geraridae |
|
|||
| Anepitedius | Archaeorthoptera | Geraridae |
|
|||
| Progenentomum | Archaeorthoptera | Geraridae |
|
|||
| Gerapompus | Archaeorthoptera | Gerapompidae |
|
|||
| Rasstriga | Grylloblattodea | Idelinellidae |
|
|||
| Epideigma | Grylloblattodea | Epideigmatidae |
|
A member of the Grylloblattodea, and a distant relative of modern ice crawlers[131] | ||
| Apithanus | Protorthoptera | Apithanidae |
|
|||
| Anthracothremma | Protorthoptera | Anthracothremmidae |
|
|||
| Melinophlebia | Protorthoptera | Anthracothremmidae |
|
|||
| Pericalyphe | Protorthoptera | Anthracothremmidae |
|
|||
| Silphion | Protorthoptera | Anthracothremmidae |
|
|||
| Adeloneura | Protorthoptera | Adeloneuridae |
|
|||
| Hadentomum | Protorthoptera | Hadentomidae |
|
|||
| Heterologus | Protorthoptera | Hadentomidae |
|
One of the largest protorthopterans from Mazon Creek, and described in 1944[133][132] | ||
| Herdina | Protorthoptera | Herdinidae |
|
|||
| Cheliphlebia | Protorthoptera | Cheliphlebidae |
|
|||
| Metacheliphlebia | Protorthoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Geraroides | Protorthoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
| Schuchertiella | Protorthoptera | Incertae sedis |
|
|||
Cyclostomi
Members of Cyclostomi (hagfish and lampreys) are known from Mazon Creek.
| Cyclostomi | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Mayomyzon | Petromyzontida | Mayomyzontidae |
|
One of the first discovered fossil lampreys, it differs from modern taxa by having fewer gill openings, more teeth, and larger eyes[135][136] | ||
| Pipiscius | Petromyzontida | Petromyzontiformes |
|
Another lamprey, often nicknamed "Push me-Pull you" in reference to each end being very similar in shape, may represent a synonym of Mayomyzon[137] | ||
| Gilpichthys | Myxini | Myxiniformes |
|
A basal hagfish, was considered enigmatic until a placement within the myxini was accepted[137] | ||
| Myxinikela | Myxini | Myxiniformes |
|
One of the oldest known hagfish, which shares several features with modern taxa (including large velar cavity and a cardinal heart)[138] | ||
Chondrichthyes
A number of chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) are known from Mazon Creek, including a number of elasmobranchs and holocephalans.
| Chondrichthyes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Class | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Bandringa | Chondrichthyes | Elasmobranchii (placement uncertain) |
|
A bizarre elasmobranch that possessed a hyper-elongated upper jaw. Juvenile specimens are known from Mazon Creek, and adults are known from parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, suggesting the area of Mazon Creek was a mating ground for these fish[139][140] | ||
| Dabasacanthus | Chondrichthyes | Elasmobranchii |
|
A close relative of modern sharks, and a member of the Lonchidiidae family within the hybodontiformes order | ||
| Holmacanthus | Chondrichthyes | Elasmobranchii |
|
Tiny hybodontiform | ||
| Orthacanthus | Chondrichthyes | Xenacanthida |
|
A large xenacanthid fish, the species from Mazon Creek is unnamed | ||
| Jimpohlia | Chondrichthyes | Holocephali |
|
A bizarre, tadpole-like holocephalian | ||
| Polysentor | Chondrichthyes | Holocephali |
|
A chimaera-like holocephalian fish, and is one of the various holocephalians known from Mazon Creek | ||
| Similhariotta | Chondrichthyes | Holocephali |
|
A small sized chimaeriform fish that possessed an elongated upper jaw, however a paper published by Grogan & Lund, 2008 suggests it may represent a specimen of the already known Bandringa[141] | ||
Acanthodii
Some members of the acanthodii are known from Mazon Creek.[5]
| Acanthodians | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Acanthodes | Acanthodii | Acanthodiformes |
|
While genus Acanthodes is widespread, from Mazon Creek juvenile specimens that were named as "Acanthodes beecheri" are known, although this species is dubious. | ||
| Trichorhipis | Acanthodii | Incertae sedis |
|
An acanthodian only known from a pectoral fin impression, once classified as a gyracanthid, now considered an enigmatic taxon.[142] | ||
Actinopterygii
A large number of early actinopterygians are known from Mazon Creek, notably the Palaeonisciformes.[5]
| Actinopterygii | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| "Elonichthys" | Actinopterygii | Elonichthyiformes |
|
"E. peltigerus" and various other species known, none actually belong to the genus Elonichthys, but they haven't been reassigned yet.[143][2][144] | ||
| Illiniichthys | Actinopterygii | Palaeonisciformes |
|
Mainly differentiated by scale morphology[2] | ||
| Nozamichthys | Actinopterygii | Palaeonisciformes |
|
Relatively similar to Illiniichthys[2] | ||
| Haplolepis | Actinopterygii | Palaeonisciformes | ||||
| Microhaplolepis | Actinopterygii | Palaeonisciformes |
|
|||
| Parahaplolepis | Actinopterygii | Palaeonisciformes |
|
|||
| Palaeoniscoid. sp. | Actinopterygii | Palaeonisciformes | Various undescribed palaeoniscoids | |||
| Amphicentrum | Actinopterygii | Eurynotiformes |
|
a member of the basal Eurynotiformes order of ray finned fish | ||
| Pyritocephalus | Actinopterygii | Haplolepiformes |
|
One of the youngest known members of the Haplolepiformes order | ||
| Platysomus | Actinopterygii | Platysomiformes |
|
A long lasting genus, some species most likley belong to other genera | ||
Non-Tetrapod Sarcopterygii
Several groups of non-tetrapod sarcopterygians, including basal coelacanths and lungfish are known from the site.[5]
| Sarcopterygii | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Megalichthys | Sarcopterygii | Megalichthyiformes |
|
Also known from the Catskill Formation | ||
| Rhizodopsis | Sarcopterygii | Megalichthyiformes |
|
|||
| Rhabdoderma | Sarcopterygii | Coelacanthiformes |
|
A widespread and long lasting early coelacanth | ||
| Conchopoma | Sarcopterygii | Dipnoi |
|
Also known from Permian aged deposits | ||
| Ctenodus | Sarcopterygii | Dipnoi |
|
a widespread Carboniferous lungfish | ||
| Megapleuron | Sarcopterygii | Dipnoi |
|
Also known from Permian aged deposits from France | ||
| Palaeophichthys | Sarcopterygii | Dipnoi |
|
Another basal lungfish | ||
Tetrapods
Many exceptionally well-preserved tetrapods are known from Mazon Creek, mostly temnospondyls and assorted "microsaurs"
| Tetrapoda | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Cephalerpeton | Sauropsida | Protorothyrididae |
|
Originally described as a microsaur, but redescribed as a protorothyridid, which is the current consensus[145] | ||
| Isodectes[146] | Dvinosauria | Eobrachyopidae |
|
A dvinosaurian temnospondyl, and a senior synonym of Saurerpeton | ||
| Amphibamus | Dissorophoidea | Amphibamidae |
|
A modest sized temnospondyl, whose superfamily is commonly regarded as ancestral to crown-group amphibians[147] | ||
| Branchiosaurus | Temnospondyli | Branchiosauridae |
|
Fossil specimens from Mazon Creek have been questionably referred to this taxon | ||
| Spondylerpeton | Embolomeri | Archeriidae |
|
A member of the embolomeri, and one of the largest animals from Mazon Creek, reaching a little over a meter long[148] | ||
| Ctenerpeton | Nectridea | Urocordylidae |
|
Known from Mazon Creek via a group of caudal vertebrae described in 2025[149] | ||
| Ptyonius | Nectridea | Urocordylidae |
|
Another member of the Urocordylidae[150] | ||
| Diabloroter | Recumbirostra | Brachystelechidae |
|
Likely algivorous alongside other derived brachystelechids[151] | ||
| Brachydectes | Recumbirostra | Molgophidae |
|
Like with other lysorophians, this animal possessed a long snake-like body and a relatively small skull[152] | ||
| Infernovenator | Recumbirostra | Molgophidae |
|
Has a somewhat less derived skull than other lysorophians[153] | ||
| Nagini | Recumbirostra | Molgophidae |
|
First lysorophian with hindlimbs but not forelimbs, suggesting a limb loss pattern similar to snakes[154] | ||
| Joermungandr | Recumbirostra | Odonterpetidae |
|
Known from a complete specimen with large amounts of scale impressions[155] | ||
| Phlegethontia | Aistopoda | Phlegethontiidae |
|
A snake-like tetrapod belonging to the Aistopoda[156] | ||
| Pseudophlegethontia | Aistopoda | Pseudophlegethontiidae |
|
Intermediate between the two main aistopod clades[157] | ||
| Oestocephalus | Aistopoda | Oestocephalidae |
|
The type species is known from Mazon Creek, but other specimens are known from the Czech Republic and Ohio[158] | ||
Miscellaneous Taxa
This section documents faunal taxa whose taxonomic affinities are not fully understood, or do not fit into any of the above groups.
| Miscellaneous Taxa | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Tullimonstrum | Incertae sedis | Incertae sedis |
|
Perhaps the most well known, and infamous species from the site, recent research suggests a placement as either a non-vertebrate chordate, or a protostome of uncertain placement.[159] | ||
| Pohlsepia | Incertae sedis | Incertae sedis |
|
Originally considered to be the oldest known octopus, specifically within the Cirroctopoda, however recent research has questioned this placement, and may possibly represent a cnidarian of uncertain placement.[160][161] | ||
| Lascoa | Incertae sedis | Incertae sedis |
|
Originally considered as a true jellyfish within the Semaeostomeae, possessing frilly arms, but affinity is questioned.[7] | ||
| Escumasia | Incertae sedis | Incertae sedis |
|
Often nickanmed the 'Y-animal', this problematic organism has been compared to cnidarians, but no concrete placement has been given.[162] | ||
| Etacystis | Hemichordata? | Pterobranchia? |
|
Also known as the 'H-animal', this colonial invertebrate is normally compared to hemichordates, but also hydrozoans[4] | ||
| Esconichthys | Chordata | Incertae sedis |
|
An enigmatic jawed vertebrate, often nicknamed 'blade', most often identified by its prominent eyes | ||
| Archisymplectes | Nemertea | Palaeonemertea |
|
A featureless worm belonging to the Nemertea (ribbon worms). | ||
| Priapulites | Priapulida | Priapulimorphida |
|
One of the earliest known crown-group priapulid worms, and a close relative of the Priapulidae[163] | ||
| Mazoglossus | Enteropneusta | Spengelidae |
|
One of the oldest known definitive acorn worms in the fossil record, and a member of the extant family Spengelidae[164] | ||
| Paucijaculum | Chaetognatha | Incertae sedis |
|
A member of the Chaetognatha (arrow worms), and shares much in common with modern taxa | ||
| Microconchida. sp | Lophophorata | Tentaculita |
|
Originally considered a member of the Sabellida, but was later discovered all pre-Bathonian sabellids were instead microconchids[165] | ||
Ichnotaxa
This section covers various ichnotaxa, or trace fossils, traces in the fossil record left behind by living organisms.
| Ichnotaxa | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Group | Higher taxon | Species | Notes | Images | |
| Fayolia | Xenacanthiformes | Xenacanthidae |
|
A wide ranging ichnotaxon of chondrichthyan egg capsules, most likely produced by xenacanthids[166] | ||
| Palaeoxyris | Hybodontiformes | Incertae sedis |
|
Another wide ranging ichnotaxon of egg capsules, except these fossils were produced by various hybodonts[166] | ||
| Vetacapsula | Holocephali | Incertae sedis |
|
Another ichnotaxon of chondrichthyan egg capsules and was previously unknown from North America until specimens were uncovered from the Field Museum in the 1980s,[167] and tentatively assigned to the Holocephali[168] | ||
| Mazonova | Chordata | Incertae sedis |
|
Another ichnotaxon of eggs, that are typically incased in a gelatinous sheath, however the taxonomy of these fossils is quite problematic, with suggestions of the egg layers being various fish and tetrapods[169] | ||
| Diplocraterion | Annelida | Various groups |
|
A wide ranging ichnotaxon of u-shaped burrows that are commonly found throughout the fossil record, and are presumably made by various polychaete worms (at least the marine examples)[170] | ||
| Rusophycus | Arthropoda | Various groups |
|
A wide ranging ichnotaxon usually identified as the resting trace of an arthropod, most often associated with trilobites, but is also produced by other groups[171] | ||
Further reading
- Wittry, Jack 2012, "The Mazon Creek Fossil Fauna", Chicago, ESCONI Associates, 202 pp. ISBN 9780578111483
- Bailey, J.B., 2011, Paleobiology, paleoecology, and systematics of Solemyidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Protobranchia) from the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, Pennsylvanian of Illinois: Bulletins of American Paleontology, v. 382, 72 p. ISBN 9780877104964
References
- ^ Selden, Paul; Nudds, John (2012). "Mazon Creek". Evolution of Fossil Ecosystems (second ed.). Manson Publishing Ltd. pp. 94–96. ISBN 978-1-84076-623-3.
- ^ a b c d Schultze, Hans-Peter; Bardack, David (1987). "Diversity and Size Changes in Palaeonisciform Fishes (Actinopterygii, Pisces) from the Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek Fauna, Illinois, U.S.A." (PDF). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 7 (1): 1–23. Bibcode:1987JVPal...7....1S. doi:10.1080/02724634.1987.10011635. JSTOR 4523118.
- ^ Joanne Klussendorf (March 30, 1995), National Historic Landmark Nomination: Mazon Creek Fossil Beds (pdf), National Park Service. Accompanying photos, from 1912 and 1991. (497 KB)
- ^ a b Nitecki, Matthew H.; Schram, Frederick R. (1976). "Etacystis communis, a Fossil of Uncertain Affinities from the Mazon Creek Fauna (Pennsylvanian of Illinois)". Journal of Paleontology. 50 (6): 1157–1161. JSTOR 1303556.
- ^ a b c d e f Clements, Thomas; Purnell, Mark; Gabbott, Sarah (2018-10-04). "The Mazon Creek Lagerstätte: a diverse late Paleozoic ecosystem entombed within siderite concretions". Journal of the Geological Society. 176 (1): 1–11. doi:10.1144/jgs2018-088. hdl:2381/44761. ISSN 0016-7649.
- ^ a b JOHNSON, RALPH GORDON; RICHARDSON Jr., EUGENE S. "PENNSYLVANIAN INVERTEBRATES OF THE MAZON CREEK AREA, ILLINOIS" (PDF). Archive.org. FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ a b Plotnick, Roy E.; Young, Graham A.; Hagadorn, James W. (8 March 2023). Korn, Dieter (ed.). "An abundant sea anemone from the Carboniferous Mazon Creek Lagerstӓtte, USA". Papers in Palaeontology. 9 (2) e1479. Bibcode:2023PPal....9E1479P. doi:10.1002/spp2.1479. ISSN 2056-2799. S2CID 257447889.
- ^ Schram, Frederick R.; Nitecki, Matthew H. (1975). "Hydra from the Illinois Pennsylvanian". Journal of Paleontology. 49 (3): 549–551. ISSN 0022-3360. JSTOR 1303425.
- ^ Budd, G. E.; Jensen, S. (2000). "A critical reappraisal of the fossil record of the bilaterian phyla". Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 75 (2): 253–95. doi:10.1111/j.1469-185X.1999.tb00046.x. PMID 10881389. S2CID 39772232.
- ^ Botting, Joseph P.; Muir, Lucy A.; Pates, Stephen; McCobb, Lucy M. E.; Wallet, Elise; Willman, Sebastian; Zhang, Yuandong; Ma, Junye (1 May 2023). "A Middle Ordovician Burgess Shale-type fauna from Castle Bank, Wales (UK)". Nature. 7 (?). Nature Portfolio: 666–674. Bibcode:2023NatEE...7..666B. doi:10.1038/s41559-023-02038-4. PMID 37127766. S2CID 258438453. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ Jones, D.; Thompson, I. D. A. (1977). "Echiura from the Pennsylvanian Essex Fauna of northern Illinois". Lethaia. 10 (4): 317. Bibcode:1977Letha..10..317J. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.1977.tb00627.x.
- ^ Parry, Luke A.; Wilson, Paul; Sykes, Dan; Edgecombe, Gregory D.; Vinther, Jakob (2015-11-17). "A new fireworm (Amphinomidae) from the Cretaceous of Lebanon identified from three-dimensionally preserved myoanatomy". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 15 (1): 256. Bibcode:2015BMCEE..15..256P. doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0541-8. ISSN 1471-2148. PMC 4650273. PMID 26577802.
- ^ Thompson, I., & Johnson, R. G. (1977). New fossil polychaete from Essex, Illinois. Fieldiana. Geology, 33(25), 471–487. http://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.5176
- ^ Hay, Andrew A. (July 2002). "Flabelligerida from the Francis Creek Shale of Illinois". Journal of Paleontology. 76 (4): 764–766. Bibcode:2002JPal...76..764H. doi:10.1017/S0022336000042025.
- ^ YOCHELSON, E. L. AND E. S. RICHARDSON JR. (1979). "Polyplacophoran molluscs of the Essex Fauna (Middle Pennsylvanian, Illinois)". In M. H. Nitecki (ed.). Mazon Creek Fossils. Academic Press, New York. pp. 321–332.
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