Fossil Bonanza
@fossilbonanza.bsky.social
Hi! I'm Andy, I'm a science educator at the Kansas Geological Survey. This account publishes cool facts and new articles on special fossil sites from around the world called Fossil-Lagerstätten.
We can extend this one step further and recover whole soft-bodied animals like jellyfish, worms, and squids. This allows us to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. If the Burgess Shale was fossilized through ordinary means then 98% of the community wouldn't have fossilized. 2/2
October 29, 2024 at 5:07 PM
We can extend this one step further and recover whole soft-bodied animals like jellyfish, worms, and squids. This allows us to reconstruct ancient ecosystems. If the Burgess Shale was fossilized through ordinary means then 98% of the community wouldn't have fossilized. 2/2
Think of your favorite fossil, chances are that fossil has bones, shells, or other hard parts. Soft parts like cartilage, organs, or flowers easily break down before they fossilize. However, Fossil-Lagerstätten can preserve these parts allowing us to reconstruct their bodies. 1/2 #LagerstätteWeek
October 29, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Think of your favorite fossil, chances are that fossil has bones, shells, or other hard parts. Soft parts like cartilage, organs, or flowers easily break down before they fossilize. However, Fossil-Lagerstätten can preserve these parts allowing us to reconstruct their bodies. 1/2 #LagerstätteWeek
Konservat-Lagerstätten are fossil sites where the quality of preservation is exceptionally high. Perhaps burial conditions inhibited scavenger growth like a lack of oxygen or extreme saltiness. Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado is an example of one. 3/3
October 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Konservat-Lagerstätten are fossil sites where the quality of preservation is exceptionally high. Perhaps burial conditions inhibited scavenger growth like a lack of oxygen or extreme saltiness. Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado is an example of one. 3/3
There are two kinds of Lagerstätten, Konzentrat-Lagerstätten are fossil sites that have a high abundance of fossils. Perhaps a community of organisms were buried over time without disturbance or a natural trap cave, like Naracoorte Caves in Australia, accumulated careless animals. 2/3
October 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM
There are two kinds of Lagerstätten, Konzentrat-Lagerstätten are fossil sites that have a high abundance of fossils. Perhaps a community of organisms were buried over time without disturbance or a natural trap cave, like Naracoorte Caves in Australia, accumulated careless animals. 2/3
Fossils are normally preserved in bits and pieces with nice specimens rarely whole. Scavengers and rough waters can disrupt bodies and scatter bones and shells. Fossil-Lagerstätten's unusual burial conditions encourage high quality fossilization, sometimes with whole ecosystems. #LagerstätteWeek 1/3
October 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Fossils are normally preserved in bits and pieces with nice specimens rarely whole. Scavengers and rough waters can disrupt bodies and scatter bones and shells. Fossil-Lagerstätten's unusual burial conditions encourage high quality fossilization, sometimes with whole ecosystems. #LagerstätteWeek 1/3
I got an influx of new followers so I figured I would do a week introducing Fossil-Lagerstätten. Lagerstätten are fossil sites that yield some of the most fantastic fossils in the world. We'll learn how they form, some examples, and their contribution to paleontology #LagerstätteWeek
October 27, 2024 at 10:54 PM
I got an influx of new followers so I figured I would do a week introducing Fossil-Lagerstätten. Lagerstätten are fossil sites that yield some of the most fantastic fossils in the world. We'll learn how they form, some examples, and their contribution to paleontology #LagerstätteWeek
A beautiful cicada from the Crato Formation in Brazil. This is in association with a recent article on the evolutionary race between early birds and cicadas. #fossils
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 27, 2024 at 2:20 PM
A beautiful cicada from the Crato Formation in Brazil. This is in association with a recent article on the evolutionary race between early birds and cicadas. #fossils
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Perfect timing for #TracksWeek, new article came out looking at deep-sea swimming and feeding traces of fish. These are some of the oldest (130 mya) examples of deep-sea fish in the fossil record. #Paleontology
www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
September 14, 2023 at 5:35 PM
Perfect timing for #TracksWeek, new article came out looking at deep-sea swimming and feeding traces of fish. These are some of the oldest (130 mya) examples of deep-sea fish in the fossil record. #Paleontology
www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
www.pnas.org/doi/full/10....
One of the largest arthropods to ever exist, the millipede Arthropleura, left scuttling footprints at various sites across the world such as Scotland.
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
September 12, 2023 at 4:08 PM
One of the largest arthropods to ever exist, the millipede Arthropleura, left scuttling footprints at various sites across the world such as Scotland.
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
It may surprise you to learn that we can find swimming trace fossils! Bottom feeding fish, like this Notogoneus from Fossil Butte National Monument, created sinusoidal waves on the mud from the natural flexing of their tails.
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
September 11, 2023 at 2:53 PM
It may surprise you to learn that we can find swimming trace fossils! Bottom feeding fish, like this Notogoneus from Fossil Butte National Monument, created sinusoidal waves on the mud from the natural flexing of their tails.
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
Behavior like locomotion is rarely preserved in the fossil record. However, every now and then, we find stellar tracks of animals walking, running, crawling, and even swimming. This week we'll look at great examples of these trace fossils.
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
September 10, 2023 at 9:34 PM
Behavior like locomotion is rarely preserved in the fossil record. However, every now and then, we find stellar tracks of animals walking, running, crawling, and even swimming. This week we'll look at great examples of these trace fossils.
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
#TracksWeek #Paleontology
Revueltosaurus callenderi from the Chinle Formation in Arizona, US.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
September 10, 2023 at 4:07 AM
Revueltosaurus callenderi from the Chinle Formation in Arizona, US.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Coelophysis is probably the most famous dinosaur from the Chinle Formation. It was originally thought to be a cannibal due to its stomach remains (but now thought to be unrelated digested-reptiles)
#ChinleWeek #FossilFriday
#ChinleWeek #FossilFriday
September 9, 2023 at 2:02 AM
Coelophysis is probably the most famous dinosaur from the Chinle Formation. It was originally thought to be a cannibal due to its stomach remains (but now thought to be unrelated digested-reptiles)
#ChinleWeek #FossilFriday
#ChinleWeek #FossilFriday
Lophionotus sanjuanensis, an ancient semionotiform fish from the Chinle Fm in Utah. Article by @gombessagirl
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
September 7, 2023 at 4:12 PM
Lophionotus sanjuanensis, an ancient semionotiform fish from the Chinle Fm in Utah. Article by @gombessagirl
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
An ancient phytosaur, Smilosuchus gregorii. This particular specimen had multiple infections on its bones. Their severity meant the animal died either from infection or nutrient deficiency from lack of hunting.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
palaeo-electronica.org/content/2021...
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
palaeo-electronica.org/content/2021...
September 6, 2023 at 6:55 PM
An ancient phytosaur, Smilosuchus gregorii. This particular specimen had multiple infections on its bones. Their severity meant the animal died either from infection or nutrient deficiency from lack of hunting.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
palaeo-electronica.org/content/2021...
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
palaeo-electronica.org/content/2021...
The petrified logs are one of the most prominent features of Petrified Forest National Park. Ancient trees were quickly buried in a river, slowing the decay process and allowing crystals to replace the original wood.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
September 5, 2023 at 4:12 PM
The petrified logs are one of the most prominent features of Petrified Forest National Park. Ancient trees were quickly buried in a river, slowing the decay process and allowing crystals to replace the original wood.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
Puercosuchus traverorum was an ancient predator from the Chinle Formation in southwestern US. The fossil was found during a guided Girl Scout trip hike!
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
September 4, 2023 at 10:55 PM
Puercosuchus traverorum was an ancient predator from the Chinle Formation in southwestern US. The fossil was found during a guided Girl Scout trip hike!
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
www.nps.gov/pefo/learn/n...
This week we're covering the Chinle Fm in SW United States for the first time! This is a late Triassic site preserving a warm and wet world featuring early dinosaurs, petrified wood, and crocodile relatives.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
September 3, 2023 at 10:19 PM
This week we're covering the Chinle Fm in SW United States for the first time! This is a late Triassic site preserving a warm and wet world featuring early dinosaurs, petrified wood, and crocodile relatives.
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
#ChinleWeek #Paleontology
Ancient fruit fossil, Melia santangensis, from the Santang Lagerstatte in China. These fruits are still alive today and these fossils are the oldest of their kind
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
journalofpalaeogeography.springeropen.com/articles/10....
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
journalofpalaeogeography.springeropen.com/articles/10....
September 2, 2023 at 11:52 PM
Ancient fruit fossil, Melia santangensis, from the Santang Lagerstatte in China. These fruits are still alive today and these fossils are the oldest of their kind
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
journalofpalaeogeography.springeropen.com/articles/10....
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
journalofpalaeogeography.springeropen.com/articles/10....
Crocodile tooth from the Santang Lagerstatte in China
#SantangWeek #FossilFriday www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SantangWeek #FossilFriday www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
September 1, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Crocodile tooth from the Santang Lagerstatte in China
#SantangWeek #FossilFriday www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SantangWeek #FossilFriday www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Fossilized cross-section of a tree, Tetradium nanningense from the Santang Lagerstatte in China. The fossilization is so good you can see growth rings!
#SantangWeek #paleontology onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#SantangWeek #paleontology onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
September 1, 2023 at 12:27 AM
Fossilized cross-section of a tree, Tetradium nanningense from the Santang Lagerstatte in China. The fossilization is so good you can see growth rings!
#SantangWeek #paleontology onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
#SantangWeek #paleontology onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Fossil of Schima kwangsiensis, left, next to its modern relative, Schima superba. This fossil was found in the Santang Lagerstatte in China.
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.nature.com/articles/s41...
August 30, 2023 at 7:12 PM
Fossil of Schima kwangsiensis, left, next to its modern relative, Schima superba. This fossil was found in the Santang Lagerstatte in China.
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Fossil fruits of Choerospondias nanningensis. Known today as Nepali hog plum, these plants are found in modern day Nepal and Bhutan but were found as far west as England during the Eocene.
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
August 29, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Fossil fruits of Choerospondias nanningensis. Known today as Nepali hog plum, these plants are found in modern day Nepal and Bhutan but were found as far west as England during the Eocene.
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Fossilized acorn, Quercus paleodisciformis, from the Santang Lagerstatte in China.
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
August 28, 2023 at 2:46 PM
Fossilized acorn, Quercus paleodisciformis, from the Santang Lagerstatte in China.
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
#SantangWeek #Paleontology
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
This week we're going vegetarian with the mummified plants of the Santang Lagerstätte. This fossil site yields amazing fossils of preserved nuts, fruits, stumps and leaves in China.
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.researchgate.net/publication/...
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.researchgate.net/publication/...
August 27, 2023 at 3:32 PM
This week we're going vegetarian with the mummified plants of the Santang Lagerstätte. This fossil site yields amazing fossils of preserved nuts, fruits, stumps and leaves in China.
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.researchgate.net/publication/...
#SantangWeek #paleontology www.researchgate.net/publication/...