Late Paleozoic Trilobites from Kansas and Nebraska A Thesis Presented in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences by Robert E. Swisher The Ohio State University 2007 Table of Contents Abstract. ............................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgments .................................................................................... 3 Introduction ............................................................................................4 Geologic Setting ....................................................................................... 5 Geographic Locations .............................................................................. 11 Systematic Paleontology ........................................................................... 11 Graphs ................................................................................................ 24 References ............................................................................................ 27 Abstract Species of late Paleozoic trilobites reported from Nebraska and Kansas include Ameura missouriensis, Ditomopyge decurtata, Ditomopyge scitula, and Anisopyge whitei. Restudy indicates that A. whitei is a subjective junior synonym of D. decurtata. Species of Ditomopyge seem to represent end members in a gradational evolutionary series. The earlier species, D. scitula (Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian) may have given rise to D. decurtata (Permian: Cisurialian) through evolutionary processes. 2 Acknowledgments My sincerest appreciation and thanks go to Dr. Loren Babcock for his guidance, assistance, and understanding for the completion of this thesis. I would also like to thank all those who collected the specimens used in this study, including Dr. Babcock. For assistance with preparations of the specimen figures used I thank Dr. Babcock for help with the set up and use of equipment, and Brad Walls for assistance on presentation and formatting of the pictures. 3 Introduction The goal of this study is to evaluate and systematically review four species of trilobites from Carboniferous and Permian strata of Kansas and Nebraska. The species of late Paleozoic trilobites examined in this study are: Ameura missouriensis, Ditomopyge decurtata, Ditomopyge scitula, and Anisopyge whitei. Ameura missouriensis, has the mostly clearly defined and distinguishable features making it the easiest of the four species to identify. Distinguishing D. decurtata, D. scitula, and A. whitei is more complicated. Ditomopyge scitula and D. decurtata can often be difficult to separate based on morphological characteristics, with variations present often being gradational (Brezinski, 1988), leaving few examples of clearly identifiable specimens. Often the stratigraphic position of specimens has factored into the' identification with D. scitula occurring in the Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian Series) and D. decurtata occurring in the Permian (Cisuralian Series). Temporal end members are distinct enough to recognize separate species (Brezinski, 1988) but it is also possible that the two forms represent a single gradational series. Ditomopyge scitula represents the earlier form. Ditomopyge decurtata may have evolved from D. scitula during the early part of the Permian through phyletic gradualism. The presence of forms transitional between the temporal end members supports this assumption. As described below, A. whitei seems to represent a synonym of D. decurtata. 4 Geologic Setting Member Formation Holdenville Shale ldenbro limestone Mbr Lenapah Perry Farm Shale Mbr Ditompyge scitula- Norfleet ls. Mbr. Limestone Walter Johnson Ss. Mbr Nowata Shale Worland Limestone Mbr ...,_,...,.........._,,.~--··-·-·""". Altamont Cl.. Lake Neosho Sh. Mbr. limestone e:::i CJ Bandera Shale c: 0 Laberdie Ls. Mbr. ~ Mine Creek Shale Mbr. - Pawnee E \..., -· -:::;.--\: Myrick Station ls. Mbr. limestone ro C::::i::=I::> ·-- \ Anna Shale Member ~ (nglevale Ss. Mbr. Labette Shale Higginsville ls. Mbr. Fort Scott Summit little Osage Sh Mbr. coal bed Limestone Blackjack Cr. ls. Mbr. Figures 1. Generalized Marmaton Group (Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian Series) stratigraphy of eastern Kansas showing lithologic units bearing trilobites. From Zeller 1968. 5 Member Formation ~-.. :·- .. ~ .. ~:-;.A A Bonner Sprin~s Sh . ,., y v- y y Ditompyge scitula- l Farley limestone Mbr Ameura missouriensis- Island Creek Sh. Mb1 Wyandotte limes lone ____ .. -..., _..,- Frisbie limestone Mbr __ ,....- --- - _,, -- '. •' ,. lane Shale _,. -·-_..---:.:.·: - -- - I _,.-- - Ameura missouriensis- Raytown Limestone Mbr. _ Muncie Creek Sh Mbr. Iola limestone -~/._:._:.·:::···-~ ., Paola Limestone Mbr. Th mi · ::.:. ::.; '::·~:..__=--==_ Cottage Grove Ss. Mbr. 0. :::I coat bed ]_.:-_ _ -:~ Q. 0 Chanute Shale :I ... 0... <.:> bO .....>- 1 .0 :I u Cl) V) ('() Ameura missouriensis- Orum Limestone c: V) ~~l:/~\~_\·:~L~\~t~·?·~L~t§:~~::::~:~;:~:~;,~::~;~;;~:;~;:~M~~~:j· c: c: 0 :.J ('() _f,j, ,,,___~ " Quivira Shale Member ::s::: Westemlle ls. Mbr Wea Shale Member Cherryvale Shale Block Limestone Mb1. f ontana Shale Member ... " " Winterset ls. Mbr. Ameura missouriensis- 1 _:1~~~~ , .. ~-1~<~=--Tff,g-fff~ff~~~Slark Shale Member Dennis limestone - ~-;::;_ -:::._-· _______Canvill_e ls. Mb--+-r. ~ g. ) --:....---· _.:-- 0 Yt<·~=~:\:--0-od-ds-C-re-ek_S_s_.M-b-1-1 Galesburg Shale ~ Bethany falls Ls. Mbr. Hushpuckney Shale Mbr. Swope limestone § 'J---~- .. :-:.~: ~ Middle Creek Ls. Mbr. g F=:-iif Sniahar limestone Mbr. Ladore Shale cXl ., ___ _ Mound City Shale Mbr. Hertha limestone 1. ) l Critzer limestone Mbr Figures 2. Generalized Kansas City Group (Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian Series) stratigraphy of eastern Kansas showing lithologic units bearing trilobites. From Zeller 1968. 6 Member Formation South Bend Ls. Mbr. Ameura missouriensis- Rock lake Shale Mbr. a. Stoner limestone Mbr. ::::> Ditompyge scitula- Stanton Limestone Eud0r1 Shale Member 0... (.!) Captain Creek Ls. Mbr. 0.0 c: Vilas Shale 'iii c: Ameura missouriensis- (\! S rin Hill ls. Mbr. ...J H1ckor Creek Sh. Mbr Plattsburg Limestone Ditompyge scitula- Mernam limestone Mbr. Figures 3. Generalized Lansing Group (Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian Series) stratigraphy of eastern Kansas showing lithologic units bearing trilobites. From Zeller 1968. 7 Member Formation i Coal Creek ls. Mb1. // Holt Shale Member /'!! Du Bois Limestone Mbr. ' Turner Creek Sh. Mbr. ,, Sheldon limestone Mbr. Topeka limestone CT~~~~~~~ Jones Point Shale Mbr. Ameura missouriensis- <:; , Curzon limestone Mbr. :::·. -c. .:::::\"\ Iowa. Point Shalt Mbr. · :__--:_~ \' Hartford Ls. Mbr. ··-.--· - ---- ---- Calhoun Shale \ ·-·- • E1Vtne Creek Ls. Mbr. L " Larsh & Burroak Sh. Mbrs. Ditomopyge scitula _ _ / Rock Bluff Ls. Mbr. Deer Creek Limestone Ameura missouriensis Oskaloosa Shalt Mbr. Ozawkie limestone Mbr. .. ··. (.-. ~~. .. -·; Tecumseh Shale -··- - _,,.,.--· --- ·-- --~ . -~=-- =~.~-~;~'-:::-.- Avoca Limestone Mbr. - -- - -- ·-~- I Kina Hill Shale Mbr. Ameura missouriensis- ~;; §--;~~-~--~-~~/ Beil limestone Member C 2 ,.. / Queen Hill Shale Mbr. Lecompton Limestone Big Springs Ls. Mbr. ( = Doniphan Shale Member Spring Branch Ls. Mbr. Stull Shale Member Ditomopyge decurtata ' . Clay Creek Ls Mbr. Kanwaka Shale Ameura missouriensis 13:§~~-~·:~JtE··~~-J_a_ck_s_on_Pa_r_k _S_h._M_b_' ________--1 ( l Keretord Ls. Mbr. Heumader Shale Member Ditompyge decurtata- Plattsmouth Ls. Ml>r. Heebner Shale Member Oread Limestone Leavenworth ls. Mbr. Snyderville Shale Mbr. Toronto limestone Mbr. Figures 4. Generalized pre-Wabau.nsee Group (Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian Series) stratigraphy of eastern Kansas showing lithologic units bearing trilobites. From Zeller 1968. 8 Member Formation Brownville Ls. Mbr Pony Creek Shalt Mbr. Grayhorse ls. Mbr Wood Siding Plumb Shale Member Formation c. ::::i Nebmka City Ls. Mbt. 0.... Creek Sh Mbr. t:>D French ..0 Jim Creek Ls. Mbr. :::I Root Shale (/) Friedrich Shale Mbr. c: Grandhaven Ls. Mbr. 0 VI Ory Shale Member Stotler Limestone -e Dover Limestorni Mbr. .c: "'u Pillsbury Shale 0::: Stormont Maple Hill Ls. Mbr Zeandale Is. bed Wamego Shale Member Tarkio limestone Mbr. Limestone Willard Shale a. c. :::I :::I Elmont limestone Mbr. 0 0... Emporia ire <.!) Harveyville Shale Mbr. ..0 Limestone ::J QJ Reading limestone Mbr (/) .,,QJ <'O c: .s::. ::::i Auburn Shale ro E ..0"' Wakarusa ls. Mbr. QJ <'O Soldier Cleek Sh. Mbr. Bern limestone z !: Burlingame Ls. Mbr. Silver lake Shale Mbr. Rulo Limestone Member Cedar Vale Shale Mbr Scranton Shale 0. ::::J Happy Hollow Ls Mbr. 0 ire :---:_:_--:--_:_-:--...:_-:- . ..0 --:-:--. ::-~ .-:-- :"'""-: - White Cloud Shale Mbr. :::I (/) >< Utopia limestone Mbr. 0 :::Lli~~(5:~ <:; Winzeler Shale Member <'O Ditompyge decurtata- Church limestorni Mbr. Howard limestone (/) l\aide Shale Mtmber -'~ -- -----=--~' Bachelor C1. Ls. Mbr. fl{~1 Severy Shale Figures 5. Generalized Wabaundsee Group (Carboniferous: Pennsylvanian Series) stratigraphy of eastern Kansas showing lithologic units bearing trilobites. From Zeller 1968. 9 Member Formation Speiser Shale Funston Limestone Blue Rapids Shale Crouse limestone Easly Creek Shale Middleburg Ls. Mbr Hooser Shale Member Bader limestone £iss limestone Member Ditomopyge decurtata- Stearns Shale Morrill limestone Mbr. 0. Ditomopyge decurtata (revised)- ::s Fk>rena Shale Member Beattie Limestone ...0 Cottonwood Ls 11br. (.!> CV > Eskridge Shale ...0 (.!> Neva limes lone Mbr. ·u r: Salem Point Shale Mbr. ::s 0 Burr Limestone Mbr Grenola Limestone