The Newsletter of Highlights Inside Calvert Marine Museum . • News from the CMM • Shal1( Fest RePort yOLUf'1 ~ i7 N//IJ1!#. 1. Paleontology Department • ZOne 17 holdings of the CMM • Fall Field Trips (still awaiting • Minutes of .June meeting August 2002 word for Lee Creek) Whole Number ~1'
The
CURRENT HAPPENINGS IN ever. While Pat, Steve, Hammon, Sandy, Cheryl, PALEONTOLOGY and Scott talked fossil sharks indoors, I had the AT THE CALVERT MARINE "pleasure" of dissecting a somewhat smelly Atlantic MUSEUM Spiny Skate outdoors. However, none of the food vendors seemed to notice ... strange. My sincere thanks to those who helped make this year's festival FROM THE CURATOR a great success. My former assis.timt, Scott Werts is We very much regret the passing of long-time club now a graduate student at John Hopkins University member Bernie Strean. Donations to the Calvert in Baltimore. He is studying under Dr. A. Hope Marine Museum in his memory will be used to Jahren in the Department of Earth and Planetary "" purchase reference volumes for our paleontology Sciences. She is a oaleoclimatologist, the perfect library. This way, there will be a tangible and match for Scott as he pursues his interests in lasting memory of Bernie and his interests in the geology, paleontology, and climatology. I very earth sciences. much enjoyed working with Scott. I took great On behalf of the membership, I would like to. pleasure in reminding him that all of science, and thank the officers and contributors to our fossil club indeed all of knowledge, flows from the central hub for 2001-2002. They included Sean Kery that is vertebrate paleontology. _In spite of the fact (President), Chuck Soares (Vise President), Skip that he didn't espouse my views, I wish him all the Snelson (Treasurer), Pam Platt (Secretary), Cheryl best. Snelson (Membership Coordinator), Mike Ellwood I would like to welcome Bill Counterman as my (Editor of the Ecphora), and Robert Ertman, and new assistant. Bill has a wealth of p~actical Kathy Haberny (Field Trip Coordinators). paleontological experience and the uncanny ability Needless to say, we are all very grateful for their to find fossils where others do not. He is certainly efforts on our behalf. an asset to this department. ..welcome aboard! I am delighted to welcome our incoming slate of Scientific illustrator and artist Mary Ellen Didion• officers for 2002-2003. They are: Grenda Dennis Carlsey is cUrrently working on a drawing of one of (President), Chuck Soares (Vice President), Paul the fossilized partial dolphin skulls in our Murdoch (Treasurer), Flo Strean (Secretary), Pam collection. I hope that over the next couple of years Platt (Membership Coordinator), Hillary Murdoch to accumulate high quality illustrations of a goodly (Editor of the Ecphora), and Robert Ertman, and number of the dolphin skulls in our collection in Kathy Haberny (Field Trip Coordinators). view of a potential exhibit and guidebook/reference SkarkFest was just that! Pat Fink, Steve volume on the diversity of Miocene dolphins from "" Grossman, Hammon Hobbs, Sandy Roberts, Calvert Cliffs. Cheryl Snelson, Scott Werts, and myself were tired but exhilarated after our busiest SharkFest 2 The Ecphora August 2002
I will be attending this year's annual meeting of locations along Calvert Cliffs to our attention. With the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. It will be help from the Galowitch's, Murdoch's, Chris held at the Sam Nobel Oklahoma Museum Gateau, and Nicholas Murdoch, most of these of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma from cetacean remains have now been quarried, but new October 9-12. specimens continue to come to light!! I would like This year, PRAD (Patuxent River Appreciation to acknowledge the Maryland Division of Days) will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Natural Resources and the Board of Warrior's October 1th and 13th. Unfortunately, I will not be Rest Sanctuary for permission to quarry several present as I will be attending the annual meeting of specimens from the cliffs just south of Parkers the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in Norman, Creek ... During my two week absence in early July, Oklahoma. In spite of my absence, the Club will Scott and Bill collected a partial dolphin skeleton exhibit fossils for both days. If you would like to from the lower Calvert Formation in southern Anne have a hand in the fossil festivities please don't Arundel County. Needless to say, I am very hesitate to give either myself (410.326-2042 ext. grateful to all who have contributed including 28) or Bill Counterman (paleo assistant, 410.326• donations of shark's teeth for the Museum's 2042 ext. 61) a call. You do not need to commit to Discovery Room. being there for both days, or even all of one day. We will be grateful for whatever time you can Stephen Godfrey donate to the cause. Bill will be coordinating the paleontology/CMMFC contributions to the two-day event. PUBLIC LECTURE TO FOLLOW The exhibit guidebook entitled "Sirenians & Sirens NEXT MEETING - Sea Cows and Mermaids" has been published and is for sale in the Museum's gift shop. If you have Following our club meeting on Saturday, October any interest in the paleontology and natural history 19th, Dr. Robert Hazen will give a public lecture in of sea cows, this is a concise one-stop reference the Calvert Marine Museum's auditorium starting at booklet. 2:30pm. Our distinguished guest will lecture on:
"Emergence and the Origin of Life: FASCINA TING FOSSIL FINDS What the Calvert Cliffs Can Teach Us"
We have had some wonderful specimens donated Among the most profound unanswered questions to our collection. These include a deciduous (baby) asked by scientists and philosophers, alike, are tooth of the Miocene elephant, Gomphotherium those that relate to the origin, evolution and calvertensis. The specimen was collected as float distribution of life in the universe. To tackle life's on Cove Point Beach by Fay Fratz back in 1981! ... origin in the laboratory using the scientific method Earlier this year, Flo Strean took us to one of her is a daunting challenge. The new field of emergence. collecting grounds along the Patuxent River. The - the study of complex systems that arise through lack of rain and low winter tides resulted in large the interaction of many components - provides a exposures of bed 17, Choptank Formation. There powerful framework for that search. we collected baleen whale bones including a lovely We are surrounded by emergent systems. Atoms lower jaw that Flo had found and generously bond to form crystals. Molecules link to form cells. donated to our permanent collection ... Jean Ants interact to form colonies. Brain cells network Hooper's been at it again. She picked up a superb to form the COflsciousmind. In each instance, fossil crab, Necronectes drydeni from bed 20 of the numerous interacting individual "agents" produce St. Mary's Formation ... Dan Galowitch donated a complex systems with new, often delightfully small section of a Eurhinodelphis skull. ..Paul unexpected properties and behaviors. Murdoch keeps us hopping. He has brought both dolphin and baleen whale fossils from several
------.- 3 The Ecphora August 2002
----..... Simple emergent phenomena observed during Prof. Hazen is active in presenting science to a walks along the cliffs of Calvert County are general audience. At George Mason University he pointing toward a deeper understanding of emergent has developed courses and companion texts on phenomena, including the most wonderful emergent scientific literacy. His books with coauthor James property of all - life. Trefil include the best-selling Science Matters: Achieving Scientific Literacy and The Sciences: An Integrated Approach, now in its third edition. Trefil BIOGRL\PHICAL INFORMATION and Hazen also served on the team of writers for the Robert M. Hazen National Science Education Standards. He teaches courses on symmetry in art and science, on images Robert M. Hazen, research scientist at the of the scientist in popular culture, and on scientific Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical ethics. Hazen serves on the Committee on Public Laboratory and Clarence Robinson Professor of Understanding of Science of the American Earth Science at George Mason University, Association for the Advancement of Science, and' received the B.S. and M.S. in geology at the on Advisory Boards for NOVA (WGBH Boston), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1971), and Encyclopedia Americana, and the Carnegie the Ph.D. at Harvard University in earth science Council. He appears frequently on radio and (1975). After studies as NATO Postdoctoral Fellow television programs on science, and he recently at Cambridge University in England, he joined the recorded The Joy of Science, a 60-lecture video Carnegie Institution's research effort. course produced by The Teaching Company. He Hazen is author of more than 230 articles and 16 was recently named Mineralogical Society of books on science, history, and music. A Fellow of America's Distinguished Lecture for 2002-2003. the American Association for the Advancement of In addition to his scientific activities, Robert ~ Science, he has received the Mineralogical Society Hazen is a professional trumpeter. He has of America Award (1982), the American Chemical performed with numerous ensembles including the Society Ipatieff Prize (1986), the ASCAP-Deems Metropolitan, New York City, Boston, and Taylor Award (1989), the Educational Press Washington Operas, the Royal, Bolshoi, Jeoffrey, Association Award (1992), and the Elizabeth Wood and Kirov Ballets, the Boston Symphony, the Science Writing Award (1998). Hazen's recent National Symphony, and the Orchestre de Paris. He research focuses on the role of minerals in the is presently a member of the Washington Chamber origin of life, including such processes as mineral• Symphony, the National Gallery Orchestra, and the catalyzed organic synthesis and the selective Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra. adsorption of organic molecules on mineral surfaces. Robert and Margaret Hazen live in Glen Echo, Hazen's books have received widespread critical Maryland. praise. The Music Men, Wealth Inexhaustible, and Keepers of the Flame, all coauthored with his wife, Stephen Godfrey Margaret Hindle Hazen, explore ties between technology and culture. The Breakthrough, The New Alchemists, Why Aren't Black Holes Black, CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE and The Diamond Makers describe the forefront of scientific research. He has also written widely for Please make sure that you take the time to popular audiences, including articles in Newsweek, complete the questionnaire mailed out in early Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine, and August of 2002. If you have misplaced it or threw it The New York Times Magazine. His writings have out without opening it send an email to been selected for inclusion in several science ~ [email protected] and we will get one writing anthologies, including The Best Science out to you ASAP! Writing of 2001. 4 The Ecphora August 2002
TRAINING CLASSSES AT NMNH as well as teeth, ecphora, and other goodies.
None are currently available. Nov. 9 & 10 (also driving after dinner on Friday the 8th) Red Hill (Devonian), Silurian Coral Reefs and Swopes Pit (Devonian). This combined UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS AND trip will take us to three well-known sites in Pennsylvania. Red Hill, near Renovo, PA, is a large EVENTS, FALL 2002 road cut into the Devonian. A swamp environment with fish material; some important tetrapods have All call-ins should be directed to Bob Ertman been found. The Silurian reefs in Clinton County on the Tuesday evening before the trip, 410-533• produce abundant specimens of corals (Favosites, 4203 (this is his cell phone number; the number Coenites), brachiopods (Stegerhynchus, Howellella, in the book will probably be tied up with the Whitfieldella), and the massive bryozoan colonies, internet!) Monotrypa. Swopes Quarry is known for the diversity and abundance of Mahantango Formation Sept 14, Purse State Park (Liverpool Point). This trilobites (Phacops rana), cephalopods, crinoids, Paleocene site is famous for otodus teeth and the brachiopids, corals, and gastropods .. You will need corkscrew-like internal tuttitella molds. to bring rock hammers and small cold chisels. Sturdy boots, kneepads, gloves and safety glasses Sept 21, Plum Point. This Miocene site on the bay are recommended. is always a favorite & always productive.
Oct. 5, Lost River, Capon Bridge, and some new places in between. Barb & Herb Ermler will lead BIOGRAPHY FOR BERNARD thisJploQite eXl?editi9IU.[1.\Y.~~~_Yi£giI1i,~.;.",Iou!!lay (BERNIE) MAX STREAN JR. want a rock hammer, chisel & eye protection, but . there is lots to be found just picking up what's lying The club was saddened.to hear of Bernie's passing around. Do bring gloves - unfortunately, there has on July 2,2002 after a lengthy illness. Bernie and been some vandalism at Capon Bridge, lots of cans his wife, Florence (Flo) were married in 1973 and & broken bottles. Plan to spend a little time helping have been members of the club since 1996. Bernie to clean up. was an avid hunter and collector of minerals and fossils, his favorites being dinosaurs. It was a Oct 12 & 13, Patuxent River Appreciation Days sampling of Bernie's dinosaur models that was the at CMM; help is always needed & appreciated. most recent rotating display near the entrance to the Please contact Stephen Godfrey at ,Paleo Hall in the Museum. Bernie's interest in [email protected] or by calling 410-326-2042 ooeology started in his collegiate days at Earlham . ext. 28 if you will be able to lend assistance for the College where he earned a BA in Geology. BernIe event or wish to display some of your finds that also eventually earned a MS in Geology from day. Southern Illinois University. Bernie was employed by the US Navy Oct. 19, reminder, the club meets at CMM at Oceanographic Office and Defense Mapping Noon! Remember this will be a pot luck event so Agency and participated on several deep-sea please bring your favorite covered dish or dessert surveys on US Navy ships. These trips took Bernie and maybe a extension cord and enjoy an afternoon to Japan and to Sicily (where he climbed Mt. Etna) of fossils and fellowship with other CMMFC and numerous other ports of call. members and guests. When not in the field collecting, Bernie enjoyed reading scientific & technical journals and other Oct. 26, Langley Bluff. Across the Patuxent & publications about earthquakes and volcanoes. All south, this Miocene site has some great crab fossils who know him will miss his enthusiasm for fossils 5 The Ecphora August 2002 and smile when thinking of him. The club's thoughts and comforting wishes are now with Flo to hopefully help her through this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, Flo has asked that donations be made to the Calvert Marine Museum for the use of the Paleontology Department.
SHARKFEST AT THE CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM
Fun, excitement, thrills, smiling faces prevailed at Sharkfest on Saturday, July 20,2002 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Case after case of miocene shark teeth were on display and all the kids (young and The childrenseemedto enjoy Sharkfestthe most. old) loved it. The CMM Fossil Club was well represented - Hammon, Steve, Cheryl, Pat and Scott were on hand to answer and explain why we collect, where we go and how we find things. In the discovery room, every kid ran over to the sandbox. Rumor had it that someone had placed a 4" meg for some lucky boy or girl to find. (Was it a rumor?) As it was, every child went home with 4 or 5 shark teeth, mostly donated by CMM Fossil Club. Why did Scott ask everyone "Which end of the shark jaw would you like to be on?" How about the little girl, number 2 in line, that guessed within 11 the number of shark teeth in the "guessing jar"? All day long the jaws of the kids were in a "dropped" position, when they found out that Carcharodon Megladon was the size of a school bus. Over the day the Fossil Club Members gave away about 1400 shark's teeth, all of which came from our own Cal vert Cliffs area. We also passed out a few membership forms to some adults who expressed an interest in what we do. It seems as though everyone had a good time and many expressed a desire to be notified when we do the "Sharkfest" again.
Steve Grossman & Hammon Hobbs
ScottWerts explaininga toothvariation. 6 The Ecphora August 2002
LIFE MEMBERSHIP GRANTED TO to 2002. Throughout their seven years of service, CHERYL & SKIP SNELSON Cheryl and Skip were always eager to volunteer in representing the Fossil Club at the museum functions, including Shark Days and Patuxent River We are very happy to announce the award of Appreciation Days, and at the 10th Anniversary Lifetime Membership to the Calvert Marine Celebration at Flag Ponds. Museum Fossil Club, to Cheryl and Albert (Skip) Cheryl's and Skip's vision for the future of our club Snelson. Cheryl and Skip have worked tirelessly in is to continue to grow as an organization for their service to the Club for six and seven years, learning and teaching, with increasing interactions respectively, holding several officer positions, with other groups and clubs. They would also volunteering in the paleo department, spending welcome an opportunity for the Fossil Club to be countless hours representing the club at museum involved in a joint proj~ct, in collaboration with the functions, and organizing club fundraisers. They work of another museum or university paleontology learned about the Fossil Club from Connie and department. We owe a great debt to this couple for the tremendous amount of hard work and dedication Larry Smith of Matoaka Cottages. They joined in 1992 to continue developing what has been a they have shown to the Fossil Club for seven years. lifelong interest in collecting, from picking up Congratulations and thank you, Cheryl and Skip! sharks teeth on Chesapeake Bay to finding fossilized fish in the Western states. Kathy Haberny Skip was elected to serve as Treasurer and Membership Coordinator in 1994. The next year, 1995, was a very busy year for both Cheryl and MINUTES FOR THE CMMFC Skip. They joined the museum volunteer council MEETING and began to work in the paleo prep lab. That year, JUNE 29, 2002 Skip took on the responsibilities of President and Cheryl was elected TreasurerlMembership The June 291h, 2002 meeting of the CMM Fossil Coordinator of the Fossil Club. Cheryl also started Club was called into order by Vice-President Chuck working on the Ecphora newsletter, and took the Soares with 28 people in attendance lead in the Fossil Club T-shirt fundraiser, both designing the shirt using the museum emblem and 1. Stephen Godfrey gave the following managing the production and orders. In 1996, Museum report: Cheryl took the lead in creating and ordering the construction of the Club banner that we now A) Scott Werts will be leaving the proudly display at our fossil table at the museum CMM as of August 151 2002 to functions. She has also worked with Mike Ellwood pursue studies toward a Ph.D. and Sandy Roberts to help build the treasury with Degree at the Johns Hopkins the production and sales of the Fossil Identification University in Baltimore, MD. He pamphlets, available at the Fossil Club table during will be working with Dr. Stephen museum events. Cheryl managed and produced the Stanley on a Bryozoans project and Ecphora from 1995-1999. From 1996-1999, Skip with Dr. Hope Jahren in the areas of continued to serve the club as President and Cheryl Geobiology and Paleoclimatology. continued the duties of TreasurerlMembership Scott will shortly be traveling to Coordinator. In addition to their busy lives serving China to observe and sample Eocene the community, including gardening for retired , old Growth Metasequoia Forests. He folks and volunteering at the Appalachian Outreach will be attempting to use stable Mission, Skip, a firefighter, and Cheryl, a busy isotopes to obtain evidence of dental assistant continued to serve the fossil club as possible climatic conditions the Treasurer and Membership Coordinator from 2000 affected the trees growth. Stephen 7 The Ecphora August 2002
took the opportunity to publicly that nominations be submitted to him Thank Scott for his service to the in writing. CMM Paleontology Department during the past year. II David Bohaska stated there was no Smithsonian report. B) William (Bill) Counterman has been selected as Scott's replacement as III Field Trip Reports the Assistance to the Curator of Paleontology. A) Kathy Haberny was asked about field trips. She reported dwindling C) This last week in June the following interest in trips and questioned why people assisted the Museum staff in this had happened. A discussion the removal of a 200+ lb. jacket: followed. New sites and ideas about Paul Murdoch, Nicholas Murdoch, where to hold trips were discussed. Bill Counterman & Christopher Kathy reported that as of the meeting Gateau. The fossil was spotted high time, no decision on a Fall Season up the cliff face in zone 14 on the date for the CMMFC for Lee Creek property of the Warrior's Rest had been made by the mine. It is Sanctuary. The jacket contains the anticipated that a season will occur anterior half of a very large baleen but it is very difficult to plan other whale's snout. trips around'this event,when the date is announced so late in the year. D) Stephen called to everyone's Robert Ertman will handle the attention the new addition to the CMMFC fall schedule. whale exhibit in the Main Paleo• Gallery. The Museum's Art B) Chuck Soares suggested that a department is painting a life-sized questionnaire be sent out to all mural of the whale, which "fleshes members to solicit ideas, goals, etc ... out" the entire body of the large from everyone in order to increase baleen whale skull now on exhibit. all aspects of club participation. The wall painting includes the entire Another matter of great concern was, post-cranial skeleton of the whale. It the lack of coordination between the is most impressive. Museum, the Membership Coordinator, Field Trip Coordinators E) Mark Rentz in Florida has just and the Ecphora Editor. Several published a new book, lavishly members stated that they had not illustrated on Megalodon. It will received the Ecphora and soon be available in the CMM Gift complained of membership checks Shop. Also, already in the Gift Shop not being cashed months after they is a Guide Book, prepared by were written. The possibility of an Stephen, containing many electronic Ecphora was discussed. illustrations and recent research based on the new "Sirens and Sirenians" exhibit now on display in the side gallery. The matter of life memberships for people who have served the CMMFC for five or more years was discussed. Stephen asked 8 The Ecphora August 2002
IV The Election of CMMFC Officers October 12-13, 2002 and volunteers are needed to man the table at that event as well. After requests for volunteers and some discussion, the following slate of officers Respectfully submitted, was nominated and selected by the members Pamela C. Platt, Secretary. present: President: Grenda Dennis Vice-President: Chuck Soares UNIT 17, THE DRUM CLIFF MEMBER, Secretary: Flo Strean CHOPTANKFORMATION Treasurer: Paul R. Murdoch Jr.
Another in the series on the catalogued collection of Pam Platt will be the new the Calvert Marine Museum. Membership Coordinator. Also, a By Pat Fink new editor for the Ecphora was needed and Hillary Murdoch The basal lithologic unit of the Choptank, volunteered for the position. Mike Shattuck'sl Zone 17, is, perhaps, the most readily Elwood was thanked for his many recognizable stratum in the section exposed in the years of faithful service as editor of cliffs along the western side of the Chesapeake. For the Ecphora. the most part it consists of a highly fossiliferous yellow or yellow brown sand that .first appears as a V Workshop Program 6-foot-thick layer in the vicinity of Parker. Creek and thickens southward until it dips below the With the formal meeting adjourned, surface near Flag Pond. According to Shattuck it is Stephen conducted an intense workshop and also exposed along the banks of the Patuxent River presentation on Dolphin Anatomy, based on between St. Leonard Creek and Drum Point. the different specimens contained in the CMM Fossil Collection. Printed materials Kidwell's2 Drumcliff shell bed is the containing numerous illustrations were equivalent of Shattuck's Zone 17. She identifies the provided to all members. All enjoyed an burrowed firm ground that underlies the bed in most informati ve, detailed lecture about the places as the subaerial erosion surface. that separates comparative anatomy of five different the Calvert and Choptank formations and places its families of toothed dolphins found in the age at approximately 14.5 m.y. Deposition on this Calvert formation! All present were allowed surface marks the inception of a new transgressive to ask questions throughout the lecture and phase of shallow marine sedimentation. examine all of the numerous specimens on Gernant3, has designated the thirty-foot thick display. exposure of 17 at Drumcliff (formerly called Jones Wharf) as the type section for the Drumcliff VI A call for volunteers for Sharkfest was Member. He notes that in some areas post• made to all present. The fossil club plans to depositional dissolution of the shelly material and have an Exhibit Table, and members are reprecipitation has produced indurated layers within asked to be available to answer questions the Drumcliff beds, which typically consist of and identify fossils for the Museum visitors. alternating layers of densely packed larger shells The next CMMFC meeting has been and lesser numbers of smaller, less densely shell• scheduled for October 5,2002 with the topic packed sands., His analysis of the macro- and of the meeting to be determined at a later microfaunal assemblages and sedimentary date. Also a reminder was made to all that structures supports a very shallow (8-25 meter the Patuxent River Appreciation Days water depth) marine, storm-worked depositional (PRAD) will be held the weekend of environment. 9 The Ecphora August 2002
_--..., Although invertebrate shells are the 12 teeth dominant constituents of the Drumcliff layers, a Galeocerdo sp. 10 teeth variety of vertebrate teeth and bones have been Negaprion sp. collected from them. Donors to the vertebrate 2 teeth collection included John Kaltenbach, the Bohaskas, Hemigaleidae Rikers, and McGilverys, Derek Yoost, Ralph Hemipristis serra Eshelman, Rod Hoeferkamp, Mike Ellwood, David 5 teeth Alopiidae Rhea, Mike Gottfried, Stephen Godfrey, and Bill Alopias sp. Counterman. Most of these specimens were found 1 tooth in the stretch of exposures along the bay, but a few EAGLE RAYS shark teeth and myliobatid dental plate fragments Myliobatidae were found at DrumcIiff and Breeden's Point and an Myliobatis sp. 27 dental plate elements odontocete tooth was found by Norm Riker along Aetobatus sp. Hellen Creek. John Kaltenbach also contributed a 3 dental plate elements sizable portion of the invertebrate specimens that BONY FISH were donated in the 1980's; other specimens were Teleostei added by Ralph Eshelman, Norm Riker, Dave 3 hyperostoses 1 vertebra Bohaska Jeff O'Neil, and Connie Smith. Later Sciaenidae contributors included the Finks, Mike Ellwood, Pogonias sp. Steven Noel, and Bill Counterman. 3 teeth REPTILES Crocodylidae [crocodiles] 1Shattuck, George Burbank, 1904. Geological and Gavialosuchus antiqua paleontological relations, with a 1 tooth review of earlier investigations, in Miocene, Dermochelyidae [leatherback turtles] Text, Maryland Geological Survey, p. lxxxi. Psephophorus calvertensis 2Kidwell, Susan M., 1984. Outcrop features and 5 platelets origin of basin margin unconformities in Cheloniidae [sea turtles] . Syllomus sp cf S. aegyptiacus the lower Chesapeake Group (Miocene), MARINE MAMMALS Atlantic Coastal Plain. American Odontoceti [dolphins] Association of Petroleum Geologists 1 tooth Memoir 37, pp 37-58. 1 periotic 2 vertebrae 3Gernant, Robert E., 1970. Paleoecology of the Cetotheriide [ primitive baleen-type whales] Choptank Formation (Miocene) of 1 phalange Maryland and Virginia, Maryland skull fragments Geological Survey Report of Investigation LAND MAMMALS No. 12, 90 pp. Tayassuidae [peccary] Prosthennops sp. cf P. niobarensis
Invertebrates DRUMCLIFF FOSSILS IN THE CMM MOLLUSKS COLLECTION PELECYPODS Nuculidae Nucula sinaria VERTEBRATES SHARKS Nucula sp. cf N. taphria Arcidae 1 partial otic capsule Lamnidae Dallarca elevata 1 tooth Dallarca elnia ~ /sunls hastalis Noetiidae 5 teeth Striarca centenaria Carcharhinidae Mytilidae Carcharhilllls sp. 10 The Ecphora August 2002
Modiolus ducatelli Hiatellidae Mytilus conradinus Hiatella arctica Isognomonidae Panopea americana lsognomon maxillata Panopea goldfussi Pectinidae SCAPHOPODS Chesapecten marylandica Siphonodentaliidae Chesapecten nefrens Cadulus thallus Ostreidae GASTROPODS Ostrea sp. cf O. carolinensis Fissurellidae Lucinidae Fissuridea sp. F. griscomi Lucinoma contracta Fissuridea sp. F. nassula Parvilucina crenulata Trochidae Parvilucina sp. cf P. prunus Calliostoma aphelium Stewartia anodonta Calliostoma philanthropum Ungulinidae Vitrinellidae Diplodonta acclinis Teinostoma calvertense Timothynus subvexa Vitrinella sp. cf V. libara Lasaeidae Caecidae Aligena aequata Caecum sp. Aligena sp. cf A. pustulosa Turritellidae Rornia mcatroides Turritella plebeia plebeia ?Kellia sp. cf K. rotunda Turritella subvariabilis Carditidae Turritella subvariabilis ssp. cf Cardita g ranulata T subvariabilis dianae Carditamera protracta Vermetidae Condylocardiidae Lemintina granifera Erycina sp. Epitoniidae Astartidae Epitonium expansa Astarte thisphila Crepidulidae Crassatellidae Crepidula fornicata Marvacrassatella turdigula Crucibulum costatum Cardiidae Crucibulum multilineatum Chesacardium laqueatum Naticidae Chesacardium laqueatum Blackwelderi Lunatia heros Mactridae Lunatia sp. cf L hemicrypta "Spisula" subcuneata Polinices duplicata Cultellidae Sinum fragilis Ensis sp. Muricidae Tellinidae Ecphora meganae meganae Florimetis biplicata Columbellidae ?Tellina sp. ?Mitrella sp. Garidae Nassariidae Gari gubernatoria Nassarius peralata Semelidae Nassarius sp. cf N. peraltoides Semele carinata Melongenidae Semele subovata Busycotypus rugosum Glossidae Fasciolariidae Glossus marylandica Chrysodomus patuxentensis Veneridae Siphonalia devexa Callocardia subnasuta Volutidae Dosina acetabulum Scaphella virginiana Dosinia acetabulum blackwelderi Cancellariidae Macrocallista marylalldica Cancellaria alternata Mercellaria cUlleata Cancellaria sp. cf C. biplicifera Petricolidae Terebridae Pleiorytis calvertellsis Terebra sp. Corbulidae Turridae Bicorbula idonea Cymatosyrillx limatula Corbula inaequalis "Drillia" sp. 11 The Ecphora August 2002
?Gemmula sp. cf G. bellaerenata although I have been a member of the CMM Fossil ?Hemipleurotoma sp. Retusidae Club for about three years now, I have been a far• Volvula sp. from-active member. I have been more than happy to sit back and watch my husband's (Paul Murdoch, FORAMINIFERA whom you may have heard of) interaction with the BRYOZOANS club. When I attended the last meeting and learned Membraniporidae that the club needed a new editor, I thought "hey, Membranipora bifoliata Membranipora fossulifera why not, I've put together newsletters for other Membranipora germana clubs, and I do write for a living." When I noticed Palmieellaria eonvoluta that nobody in the room seemed to show the Microporellidae slightest interest, (truthfully, most people looked Microporella ciliata like they wanted to crawl under their chairs), I Reteporidae Retepora doverensis decided to volunteer. lam now hoping to bring a Schizoporellidae new look to the newsletter, as well as a fresh Schizoporella latisinuata perspective to the club ... but I need your help. Do you have any ideas on how to improve The HYDROZOANS Ecphora? I'd love to hear them. Do you have an Hydraetinia sp. entertaining story about a recent fossil expedition? ANTHOZOANS Have you recently found a really good specimen Astrhelia palmate that you would love to "show-off' to other club members? Feel free to send me.yourstories and BRACHIOPODS pictures for upcoming issues of The Ecphora. I Diseinisea lugubris prefer to receive them online through the club's e• ~ ECHINODERMS [ starfish] mail address at [email protected], Abertella alberta [sand dollar] either as a Word document, or just typed out in the Echinoeardium orthnotum [sea e-mail, but will also accept them by mail. If you are urchin] sending a picture, please include when you found CRUST ACEANS the specimen, where, and the zone in which it was Decapods [crabs, barnacles,etc] found, if possible. Please mail them to the Balanus sp. following address, and mark "Ecphora article" on Ostracods the outside ofthe envelope:
Hillary Murdoch EDITOR'S NOTES 2468 Swamp Pike Gilbertsville, PA 19525 Let me begin by apologizing to all club members for the period of time that has passed since you last Speaking of sending your ideas for received an issue of The Ecphora. As you may improvement. ..have you completed your club have already figured out after reading the previous questionnaire yet? This mailing was sent about articles, we have recently elected. new club officers, three weeks ago and included several questions as well as a new editor, and we are experiencing pertaining to your views of the club. Please help somewhat of a rocky transition. There is no need to the new officers to serve you better by answering fret though, because we are definitely getting back the questions honestly and returning it as soon as on track, and the new officers seem to be possible. , determined to make the club better than ever. I'm sure that everyone is on the edge of their seats Now, let me introduce myself. My name is Hillary waiting to hear on which date we have been Murdoch, and although I have been collecting in scheduled to get into Lee Creek. Well, Calvert County for the last 25 years, you have unfortunately as of this printing no dates have been probably never heard of me. That's because awarded to any club, and the outlook for a Fall 12 The Ecphora August 2002 season is indeed looking bleaker as the days go by paleo-lab preparatory helpers to unlock these without word from our friends in Aurora. As soon treasures from their clay tombs. If you are as a date is available we will let you know. If, interested in assisting the CMM in this way please however, you choose to be proactive, please feel contact, either Stephen Godfrey at the e-mail free to send an e-mail to the club address with the address or phone number listed above, or the subject line "Lee Creek Trip" and we will e-mail CMM's volunteer coordinator Leslie King at 410• you when the information is available. If you do 326-2042 or via e-mail [email protected]. not have e-mail access, please contact the Club Although you will not be able to immediately assist President, Grenda Dennis at 240-725-0689 and let with vertebrate specimens, you may be able to do so her know of your interest. She will get back to you after completing a mentoring period based on your as soon as possible. If a Lee Creek date is declared, individual skills and experience. Patience, attention we will quickly try to pull together a packed to detail and a steady hand are required ... the rest weekend of fossil hunting, hopefully including the can be taught! Belgrade quarry in nearby Jacksonville, NC and Greens Mill run in Greenville, NC. Also, don't forget that you can fossil hunt on your own while PRESIDENT'S COLUMN down there at the roadside spoil piles in Chocowinity and Blounts Creek on Rt. 33 on the A new year for the CMM Fossil Club has begun. way to the mine. One and two inch teeth can found At our last meeting, in June, we elected officers, within the spoil piles if you are determined enough which have been mentioned previously. There are to put in a few hours worth of sifting. new people in all but one position and a new agenda In other news from Lee Creek, Pat young is no that will catapult us into the electronic age while we longer the day-to-day Administrator at the Aurora focus in the prehistoric. Dr. Stephen Godfrey, Fossil Museum. From what I understand, the Curator of Paleontology at Calvert Marine Museum Museum is now looking to hire a full-time remains as our advisor and fearless leader. professional curator to fill Pat's vacated position. If Bill Counterman has come on board replacing you, or anyone you know, may have an interest in Scott Werts, who is at Johns Hopkins University this opportunity, please e-mail the club and we will studying Paleobiology in graduate school. We will provide you with additional information concerning miss him. Of course we are going to have him back the position. for a talk or two. Please note that he has been Please note that the next CMM Fossil Club forewarned. We welcome Bill who may be known meeting will begin at noon instead of the normal to a lot of you already and appreciate that we have a 12:30 on October 19, due to the fact that it will be a good guy replacing a good guy. covered dish event. The club will provide sodas, I must tell you up front that I was not nominated to plates, utensils etc. We will meet in the usual spot, this office in the conventional way. I nominated 3rd floor of the CMM. myself. And it surprised me somewhat. I had only Also, you mayor may not be aware that the CMM been in the club a few months, not even sure of the does offer the opportunity to display your finds in exact number at this point. I am not a fossil the rotating display case in the entrance area of the collector---strange but tru~. I do collect rocks. I Paleo Hall. Currently, Pam Platt has some beautiful love fossils. Have loved them since I was knee• specimens on display from several localities. If you high to a brontosaurus, which may give you an are interested in displaying some of your finds indication of how old I am (Okay the name as the please contact Stephen Godfrey at 410-326-2042 indicator not the era!). But more importantly the ext. 28 or via email [email protected] Snelsons had been at the helm for many years and expected that all specimens will be labeled by had decided it was time to pass the torch. They had species and location. There currently is no waiting given above and beyond the call of duty. list, so it's first come first served! When the election of officers was brought up at Lastly, with all of the fossils that have been the last meeting, it was clear that there really wasn't quarried recently, there is a growing need for more anyone interested in taking the position. Plus, there 13 The Ecphora August 2002
was the possibility the club might fold. I looked at ..----...the assortment of skulls and vertebrae before me. I saw skull after skull ready to be reviewed for the workshop that Dr. Godfrey had scheduled. I thought how could we let this go? How could we not continue the work? We had so much more to learn. How could we throwaway the forum that would offer us the opportunity to learn about these animals and to understand them scientifically? What a fantastic opportunity! So, nutball that I am, I decided to raise my hand and volunteer for the job. It kind of scares me in a way but I am thankful that there are so many good and caring people on this board to help me, to help all of us. It's a new era for the CMM Fossil Club. I can't make it a success by myself. The board can't make it a success by themselves. We NEED YOU to help us make it better. We need your input. We need your assistance in this effort. It is not my club but your club. And we would love to hear from you and see you at the next meeting.
Grenda Dennis
Above is a picture of an inverted Eurhinodelphis skull, including lower jaws, which was quarried by the CMM in 2002. Also pictured are several ribs and assorted vertebrae. The small bone on the piece of cardboard is a jugal bone. They are rarely, if ever, found associated with the skull.
Above is a picture of the snout of the Squalodon Calvertensis that was quarried by the CMM in 2001. It may be the most complete snout ever found of this specIes. CMMFC Paul & Hillary Murdoch 2468 Swamp Pike Gilbertsville, PA 19525
Reminder: If you have a red check mark on your address label it means that as of August 2002 your dues for either the CMMFC, the CMM or both are past due. Please contact the CMM or the CMMFC to get your dues current.
Also. for excellent none-club fossil trips please go to the website of our friends at the VMNH at http://www.vmnh.or0Carmel Church folder/fieldtrp.htm Enjoy! I!