Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Virtual Tour of Maine’s Fossils
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 1 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Introduction
The following tour provides an introduction to some of the fossils found in Maine’s bedrock. There is a rich diversity of life preserved in Maine’s rocks. While most of the deposits are marine, there are some terrestrial deposits, including the world famous Trout Valley Formation from which the State Fossil, Pertica quadrifaria (a plant) comes. Maine’s bedrock fossil record is contained in rocks from the Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian Periods – a span of time from 545 million years ago to 360 million years ago.
Contents Introduction 2 Ostracods 32 Bivalves (clams) 3 Plants 33 Brachiopods 10 Trace Fossils 39 Corals 23 Trilobites 42 Gastropods (snails) 26 Minor Fossil Groups 46 Graptolites 31
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 2 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Bivalves (clams)
John John Poisson B. by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Bivalve: Eurymyella shaleri. Silurian, Eastport Formation, USNM 58432, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 3 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Bivalves (clams)
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Photo
Bivalve: Modiolopsis leightoni var quadrata. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 58975, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 4 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Bivalves (clams)
Bivalve: Modiolopsis leightoni var quadrata. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 58975, scale -
gold bar = 6 mm.
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 5 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Bivalves (clams)
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Photo
Bivalve: Nuculites corrugatus. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 58976, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 6 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Bivalves (clams)
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Photo Bivalve: Palaeoneilo (ditchia) manensis. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, USNM 59777, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 7 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Bivalves (clams)
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Bivalve: Palaeosolen chapmani. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, USNM 59830, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 8 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Bivalves (clams)
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Bivalve: Ptychopteria (Actinopteria) bella. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 58964, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 9 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Brachiopod: Acrospirifer atlanticus. Devonian, Tomhegan Formation, USNM 125866r, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 10 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Amphistrophia (Amphistrophiella) sp. Silurian/Devonian, Fish River Lake Formation(?), USNM 220866, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 11 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: "Camarotoechia" leightoni. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 58962, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 12 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Dolerorthis sp. Ordovician, Winterville Formation, USNM 159953, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 13 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Brachiopods
Brachiopod: Hipparionyx unguiformis. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, USNM 59703,
scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 14 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Howellella cobscooki. Silurian, Edmunds Formation, USNM 61452, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 15 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Leptaena "rhomboidalis“. Devonian, Beck Pond Limestone, USNM 126141b, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 16 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Leptostrophia cf. L. magnifica. Devonian, Tarratine Formation, USNM 126123, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 17 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Paralenorthis robustus. Ordovician, Shin Brook Formation, USNM 143669, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 18 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Resserella sp. Silurian/Devonian, Hobbstown Formation, USNM 126139, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 19 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
Maine Geological Survey Photo by John Poisson B. John by Photo
Brachiopod: "Schuchertella" becraftensis. Devonian, Seboomook Group, USNM 125866r, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 20 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Brachiopod: Sphaerirhychia? sp. Silurian, Hardwood Mountain Formation, USNM 127385a, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 21 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Brachiopods
John John Poisson B. by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Brachiopod: Valcourea sp. Ordovician, Kennebec Formation, USNM 125750, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 22 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Corals
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Coral: Cystihalysites sp. cf. C. amplitubulata. Silurian, Hardwood Mountain Formation, USNM 139450, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 23 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Corals
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Photo
Coral: Favositids. Silurian, Hardwood Mountain Formation, MGS specimen, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 24 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Corals
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo
Coral: Grewinkia pluchella. Ordovician, Winterville Formation, USNM 159953, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 25 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Gastropods (snails)
Gastropod: Holopea sp. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, NYSM 9228,
scale - penny.
John Poisson B. John by by
Maine Geological Survey Photo Photo
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 26 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Gastropods (snails)
,1964 Neuman
Gastropod: Leseurilla? sp. Ordovician, Shin Brook Formation, USNM 143697, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 27 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Gastropods (snails)
Gastropod: Loxonema cf. L. welleriana. Devonian, Tarratine Formation, USNM 16309,
scale - ruler.
, 1966
Yochelson
and and
Boucot
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 28 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Gastropods (snails)
, 1966
Yochelson
and and
Boucot Gastropod: Platyceras (Platyostoma) ventricosum. Devonian, Tarratine Formation, USNM 16309, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 29 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Gastropods
,
Yochelson
and and
Boucot 1966 Gastropod: Stenoloron cf. S. plena. Devonian, Tomhegan Formation, USNM 16309, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 30 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Graptolites
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Graptolite: Monograptus sp. Silurian, New Sweden Formation, Bowdoin College collection, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 31 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Ostracods
Maine Geological Survey Photo by John Poisson B. John by Photo
Ostracod: Beyrichian ostracods. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, NYSM 9228.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 32 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Plants
Plant: Archeopteris jacksonii. Devonian, Perry Formation, Kasper and others
(1988), scale - ruler.
Kasper and others, 1988 and others, Kasper
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 33 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Plants
Plant: Archeopteris jacksonii. Devonian, Perry Formation, Kasper and others
(1988), scale - ruler.
Kasper and others, 1988 and others, Kasper
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 34 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Plants
Plant: Pertica quadrifaria. Devonian, Trout Valley Formation, MGS specimen,
scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 35 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Plants
Plant: Psilophyton dapsile. Devonian, Trout Valley Formation, Kasper and
others (1988), scale - ruler.
Kasper and others, 1988 and others, Kasper
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 36 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Plants
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Plant: Psilophyton forbesii. Devonian, Trout Valley Formation, USNM 192305a, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 37 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey Plants
Plant: Psilophyton princeps. Devonian, Trout Valley Formation, Kasper and others (1988), scale - ruler.
asper and others, 1988 and others, asper K
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 38 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trace Fossils
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Trace fossil: Asterichnus sp. Silurian, Eastport Formation, outcrop photo, scale - penny.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 39 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trace Fossils
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Trace fossil: Nereites deweyi. Silurian, Waterville Formation, Colby College collection.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 40 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trace Fossils
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Trace fossil: Oldhamia smithi. Precambrian to Cambrian, Grand Pitch Formation, USNM 139806, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 41 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trilobites
Maine Geological Survey Photo by John PhotoJohn by Poisson B.
Trilobite: Acaste zerinae. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 900007, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 42 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trilobites
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Trilobite: Annamitella borealis. Ordovician, Shin Brook Formation, USNM 143713, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 43 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trilobites
Photo by John Poisson B. John by Photo Maine Geological Survey
Trilobite: Fragiscutum rhytium. Silurian, Hardwood Mountain Formation, USNM 154272, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 44 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Trilobites
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo Trilobite: Trimerus vanuxemi. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, NYSM 9754, scale - penny.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 45 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Stromatoporoid: specimen showing lamina and pillars. Silurian, Ripogenus Formation, Colby College collection.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 46 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Bryozoan: Hederella sp. Silurian, Eastport Formation, NYSM 7895, scale - penny.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 47 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Cephalopod: Orthoceras sp. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, NYSM 9536, scale - penny.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 48 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Cephalopod: Orthoceras (Dawsonoceras) perelegans. Silurian, Leighton Formation, USNM 62939, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 49 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Tentaculitoid: Tentaculites cf. T. elongatus. Devonian, Moose River Sandstone, USNM 59877, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 50 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Crinoid: pieces (circular objects). Silurian, Leighton Formation, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 51 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Crinoid: Rhodocrinites nortoni. Silurian or Devonian, glacial erratic - Caratunk, USNM 442298, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 52 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Crinoid: Rhodocrinites nortoni. Devonian, Seboomook Group, USNM 442317, scale - gold bar = 6 mm.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 53 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Starfish: Macroporaster nylanderi. Silurian or Devonian?, in loose boulder - New Sweden, NYSM 7740, scale - penny.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 54 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Eurypterid: Pterygotus sp. Silurian, Eastport Formation, Bowdoin College collection, scale - ruler.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 55 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
Minor Fossil Groups
Maine Geological Survey Poisson B. John by Photo
Fish: Asterolepis clarkei. Devonian, Chapman Sandstone, NYSM 10329, scale - penny.
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 56 Maine’s Fossils Maine Geological Survey
References
Boucot, Arthur J., and Yochelson, Ellis L., 1966, Paleozoic Gastropoda from the Moose River synclinorium, northern Maine; U. S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper 503-A, p. A1-A20
Churchill-Dickson, Lisa, 2007, Maine's Fossil Record; The Paleozoic: Maine Geological Survey, 500 p.
Kasper, Andrew E., Jr., Gensel, Patricia G., Forbes, William H., and Andrews, Henry N., Jr., 1988, Plant paleontology in the State of Maine - a review; in Tucker, Robert D., and Marvinney, Robert G. (editors), Studies in Maine geology: Volume 1 - Structure and stratigraphy: Maine Geological Survey (Department of Conservation), p. 109-128
Neuman, Robert B., and Whittington, Harry B., 1964, Fossils in Ordovician tuffs, northeastern Maine; U. S. Geological Survey, Bulletin 1181-E, p. E1-E38
Sources of specimens: Bowdoin College Colby College Maine Geological Survey New York State Museum (NYSM) U. S. National Museum of Natural History (USNM)
Maine Geological Survey, Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry 57