vini, vidi, fossum NARG Newsletter North America Research Group THE NARG www.narg-online.com MISSION STATEMENT Pacific Northwest Paleontology, Paleobotony, and Geology

The mission of NARG is VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2005 to provide a forum for individuals who possess a passionate interest in fossils. In the Pacific NW, we are responsible for a wealth in fossil record.

We document our find- NARG’s Inaugural Newsletter ings and strive to im- prove communication for scientific contribution and public benefit. The genesis of NARG began in lecting in road cuts near Skamo- soaking them in water for several

Our goal is to develop an 2000 with Andrew and Steven kawa, Porter and KM Mountain days and then freezing them to affiliation of fossil enthu- Bland. The Bland brothers went in southwest Washington. These beating them with sledgeham- siasts working together, out on a road trip through Cen- locales produced many fine con- mers. Finally, the proper tech- to continue research, perform site investiga- tral Oregon that carried them cretions containing crabs, wood, nique was devised and, ulti- tion, have fun, and con- through Mitchell, Fossil, Spray, bone and small sea creatures. It mately, with Andrew’s natural tribute to the growth and Shaniko and other turn of the didn’t take much time for the preparation skill of the specimen, development of an active, premier group of avoca- century towns. At some point brother’s to accumulate enough the amazing creatures were re- tional paleontologists. during the trip the two brothers vealed —literally captured in decided to stop and explore time. Our belief: The total can some of the sedimentary layers be greater than the sum Our goal at NARG is to provide of its parts: By working of rock near Condon, OR. Right you with information on the together, we can create off they located a bone, fish ver- an informative, educa- fossil record for the states of tebrae and leaf impressions— tional experience for a Oregon and Washington. This dynamic group of people. they were hooked. Before that newsletter is one of several ways Our individual pursuits trip ended they hit the Painted and interests will contrib- we accomplish this goal. NARG Hills area for leaf impressions ute and enhance scientific also details general information knowledge and the public and then onto Fossil, just behind Pulalius vulgaris, outstanding on the geologic history of the record. the high school, for even better ventral specimen that shows Pacific NW as well as informa- leaf impressions. After they re- If your interests are great abdomen and mouth tion on fossil bearing formations. research and exploration, turned home they were anxious We are geared toward paleon- collection or preparation, part detail. for the next trip out with a more tology but you must have some we welcome your partici- concentrated focus on digging pation and invite your understanding on the regional enthusiasm! through Oregon's geologic re- geology if you intend on collect- cord. As time wore on they met concretions in their respective ing fossils. other enthusiastic, like minded garages that cars were no longer INSIDE friends who accompanied them able to park inside. Initially, these THIS ISSUE: on their trips. When time did not “crab balls” languished. The We searched high and low for a allow for multi-day excursions brothers used several methods regional group or club interested NARG’s Inau- 1 they spent their weekends col- to “pop” them open —from in paleontology (cont. on page 2) gural Newslet- ter The Taxon- 1 omy Report The Taxonomy Report Why “Just 2 Crabs”? Submitted by Aaron Currier

Trip Report 3 I'd like to begin this report by trips, researched through identifi- understanding how a species fits for 5/04 explaining that my interest in the cation books and other profes- into the hierarchal tree of life... systematics of the fossil record sional publications, and visited otherwise known as the scientific Paleontology 4 developed years after collecting with professionals in the field to system of classification, or taxon- and Geology numerous fossil specimens and develop a reasonable accounting omy. In future issues of the of Oregon decades after collecting my first of my collection. "Taxonomy Report" we will take agate on a gravel road. I realized a look at how species fit to-

a few years back that my fossil gether, both in relation to other collection had some scientific One of the important aspects of related species, as well as their value, but it never would be rec- my research is not only the label- ancestry. Continued on page 3... ing of specimens with accurate ognized without proper record keeping. I took notes on field scientific binomial names, but

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PAGE 2 NARG’s Inaugural Newsletter ...continued from page 1

but all we came up with were Tucson, AZ. Visit our web page and check rock and mineral organizations. out the "Membership" section After a quick count we found for more information on how that we knew enough people you can become a NARG and started our own fossil Member and participate in enthusiast group —the only meetings, trips, and work- one in southwest Washington shops. The NARG web site and Oregon. We meet once a also has a fossil forum where month and have scheduled you can post questions and collecting trips and workshops. learn from the seasoned A minimum of once a month NARG members. See you NARG members get together there! and collect at a predetermined locale; often on multi-day trips around the area. These trips are a wonderful way to learn Every trip finds a fossil record and share experiences, cama- worth keeping. raderie and explore what our We invite you to join us at the NARG outing to geologic past has to offer. next NARG meeting, held the southwest Washing- NARG members have col- first Wednesday of every ton; Fossil Creek lected as far away as northern month at the Rice Museum in Colorado and as far south as Hillsboro, OR. Why “Just Crabs”? First, not everyone in our trips where limited due to the Carinaranina schencki. group is smitten with fossil cost and time so I continued to We began to research crabs, crabs. Many members have collect marine formations in shrimp, and lobsters and found different areas of interest, and Oregon and Washington but I they are widely distributed and “We probably I respect that, but the only was really getting tired of con- divers in the Pacific NW. Al- reason I'd keep a gastropod is cretions. It wasn't until I was wont find all the though not nearly complete if a hermit crab was inside. able to prepare fossils from our list of fossil decapods that species of crabs Actually I value every fossil I the concretions that my affinity can be found number over 80 find but over the past couple for crabs began to grow. different species ranging in but we'll enjoy of years crabs have really The majority of the crab we time from Cretaceous to Pleis- grown on me and other mem- collected came from the Lin- tocene. trying …” bers of our group. When I first coln Creek Formation in SW started collecting I wasn't We probably wont find all the Washington with the predomi- species of crabs but we'll enjoy really happy with the types of nant crab being the Pulalius fossils found here in the Pacific trying and hopefully find some- vulgaris. As we collected other thing new along the way. NW and I'd travel to other formations we started finding states to collect many of their others like the tiny Palaeopin- Over and out, fine fossils. Of course these nixa rotundus or the bug like Andrew Bland Trip Report for 5/04

Thursday May 13th, NARG hike up the creek. The first saved about an 1 1/2 hours in members traveled to Wahkia- mile was an easy downward time, but we agreed that the kum County in SW Washing- walk to the end. From there long walk in from the bottom Steven and ton to search for Eocene ma- on we had to bushwhack 1800 was preferable. Andrew rine fossils in the feet down a very steep ravine, Our campsite was on a flat digging for Lincoln Creek forma- covered in dense brush and shelf of rock at the base of a tion. We tried a new tangled, felled trees with run- concretions 10 foot high waterfall with a entry point into a ning water and slick rock un- deep pool at its base. The cliffs mountainous drainage derneath. It was a trial, even all around were festooned system. In an attempt the three dogs whined as they with vibrant green plant life of to save time and ef- struggled to get through. We which I could only identify fort we came in from did get down though, and after some. When the sun came out above, off of the end a short sit in a chair, some cold and back-lit them it looked like of a closed logging road, in- libation, our sense of humor some primordial jungle. Few stead of the usual four-hour and energy came back. We people have (cont. on page 3)

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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 3

The Taxonomy Report ...continued from page 1

This first column, however, we Swedish naturalist Carl von Lin- If you haven't found this in your need to look at a couple of defini- naeus. Arranged from the broadest, online research yet, I believe this to “I've seen tions. What's the difference be- most inclusive category, to the be the best source for valid taxon- Barnacles tween systematics, cladistics, taxon- narrowest, most exclusive category, omy because it is their mission. It's omy, and even classification? We've these taxa are: Kingdom, Phylum, called the Interagency Taxonomic (Balanus) listed probably all heard these words Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Information System, (ITIS). Visit listening to professionals speak, but Species. their website, www.itis.usda.gov to with any one what do they mean? Do the terms Classification: the act of distribut- search any name. Although the list of four have different meanings? Here's the ing things into classes or categories does not include many fossil spe- answer. of the same type. cies, most families are recorded. different Systematics: The field of biology For the connection from genus or One can see how they are similar, names for their that deals with the diversity of life. species to family, visit the Peabody but different definitions. However, Systematics is usually divided into Museum at Yale University at http:// they are all interconnected. order and two areas -- phylogenetics and tax- george.peabody.yale.edu/ip/. They onomy. The next step in classifying speci- have a huge database of fossils and Cirripedia in mens is to find reliable sources to identify the family and order names. Cladistics: The systematic classifi- give names for the various taxa. I've any one of four cation of groups of organisms on Regardless of what happens to your run into many instances where the basis of the order of their as- collection when you're gone, it is levels of heirarchal name assignments con- sumed divergence from ancestral important that the next curator tradict each other, particularly with species, also referred to as cladistic knows what you know. Take notes, classification! “ crustaceans. I've seen Barnacles phylogenetics. For a biological clas- keep them with your collected (Balanus) listed with any one of four sification system to be most useful, material, then in your spare time, different names for their order and it should reflect current ideas about have a little fun with research. Cirripedia in any one of four levels evolutionary relationships among of classification! the creatures it organizes into groups. Organizing creatures into I know a crab is a crustacean and a groups is usually based on shared decapod, but is the Class name Andrew Bland’s latest prep anatomical or biochemical features. officially Malacostraca? What does along with his comments: Determining which features reveal Crustacea refer to anyway? We'll what about evolutionary related- answer this in the next issue. ness falls under the discipline of For now, it is important NARG “I finally got the Aturia group phylogenetic systematics. adopt a standard resource for the finished and have attached a Taxonomy: The science of naming assignment of taxonomical names picture.” and classifying organisms. Taxon- to the specimens we collect. There omy has two basic objectives: 1) to are countless sources on the inter- Cigarette: 20 serve as a basis for generalization in net that vary in assignment of Prep Time: 10 hours comparative studies and, 2) to names, especially in the family, or- Abrasive: 1 lb serve as an information storage der and class levels of hierarchy. It's Spilling acid on your hand try- system. The system of classification difficult to know which is accurate ing to get a finish on 4 jeweled used by biologists today is based on as well as personally picking one Aturia: Priceless a hierarchical scheme devised by arbitrarily.

Trip Report for 5/04 ...continued from page 2 been in here judging by the lack of found were clams, gastropods with time my backpack was heavier coming out then going in. The any trash or fire-rings. After a good barnacles attached, dentaliums and route out is a wandering path crossing and re-crossing the creek meal we filtered water from the petrified wood. around and over logjams, mudslides and dense underbrush. In creek to replenish stores. We hit the creek below more Ran- the sack early and slept like logs ina and Pulalius are found. with the "white noise" of the falls in We had a great dinner around our There are many "rub" trees the background. campfire with members sharing along the banks, where gourmet treats they had humped in. Deer and Elk have polished We talked about our day's finds their antlers. With slick- Friday May 14th- Morning tempera- and the beauty of this remote rock and mud underfoot, tures: air=42d., water=45d. After mountain area. The dogs seemed to some members used two breakfast we climbed around the be enjoying themselves and were walking sticks for stability. It falls and dug reworked concretions our constant companions. is hard enough traveling out of the creek bed and cliff expo- through this area without the heavy packs. Fortunately, nobody sures. Some of these were as big as was injured and we were out to a road in good time. basketballs and difficult to split with Saturday May 15th-Morning tem- many blows from the crack- peratures: air=46d., water=45d. hammers. At the base of one 200 We had a light breakfast and broke Humans in attendance: Bill Sullivan, Jerry Rawdon, Steven Bland, foot cliff, nearly every concretion camp. We sorted the fossils into Andrew Bland had a Ranina ranina crab. Also those we wanted to pack out and others we cached. This is the first Dogs in attendance: Frank, Victor, and Steve

Oregon Geologic Info

NARG The land we see today in the Pacific NW is the North America Research Group result of the breakup and collision of giant con- NARG meets the first Wednesday of every tinents, the rise and fall of ancient ocean basins month at the following location: and lakes, uplift and wearying down of moun- tain ranges, floods of molten lava, and conti- Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks & Minerals nental glaciers of the Ice Ages. 26385 NW Groveland Drive

Hillsboro, OR 97124 The sedimentary deposits from the ancient Fax: 503-647-2418 lakes and seabeds that covered the Pacific NW E-mail: [email protected] provide a fossil record dating back more than

See you there! 500 million years.

vini, vidi, fossum

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Paleontology and geology of Oregon

Credits to The Paleontology Portal The Precambrian: During the Precam- communities during this time interval. Cenozoic. brian, the area now occupied by Ore- Vertebrates are represented by fossil gon was deep ocean, and no rocks fragments of pterosaurs and marine from the Precambrian have been reptiles such as ichthyosaurs. preserved anywhere in the state. The Cenozoic: Fossils of turret and The Paleozoic: Throughout much of fig shells (snails) indicate that warm- the early Paleozoic (Cambrian water conditions persisted into the through Silurian) what is now Oregon early Cenozoic (Tertiary) over part of was covered by the sea, and no rocks Oregon. Conditions became cooler from these time intervals have been and drier by the middle Tertiary, and preserved anywhere in the state. marine organisms similar to modern During the middle and late Paleozoic species inhabited the waters off the (Devonian through Permian), tectonic coast. Forests of oak and alder were activity resulted in a series of volcanic common, and mammals such as Quaternary islands in the area that has become horses, camels, deer, and cats, as well Tertiary Oregon. Limestones containing fossils as extinct gomphotheres (early ele- Cretaceous of corals, brachiopods, and other phants) and bear-dogs wandered the Jurassic marine animals provide evidence of landscape. The Coast Range and the Triassic the coral reefs and lagoon environ- Cascades began to rise as a result of Permian ments that also formed at this time, tectonic activity during the Tertiary. Carboniferous and plant fossils indicate the presence Later in the Cenozoic (Pleistocene), Devonian of nearby terrestrial environments. large ice caps covered the mountain- Silurian ous regions of the state. Lowland and coastal regions were covered by a Ordovician The Mesozoic: Shallow seas persisted diversity of environments, including Cambrian over most of state through the Meso- forests, savanna, and arid plains. The Precambrian zoic. Oysters, corals, and snails were Cascade volcanoes continued to important members of the marine erupt periodically throughout the late