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DEVONIAN FOSSILS FROM KENTUCKY, INDIANA & SURROUNDING STATES

Devonian Period


Known as the "Age of Fishes" because almost all known groups of fish appear during the Devonian period. It was also the "age of ancient coral" because more types of coral (now extinct) appear in the Devonian than any other Paleozoic period. This period spanned approximately 408-360 million years ago. The Devonian name comes from a county in England called Devon(shire). It was named by British geologists Adam Sedgwick and Roderick Murchinson in 1839. In the Kentuckiana area, Middle Devonian fossils can be found in the Jeffersonville Limestone (about 390 million years old) and the North Vernon Formation (aka Sellersburg Group) [now known as Silver Creek and Beechwood members dated at approximately 380 million years old]. The New Albany Shale (which contains very few fossils) range from the Middle Devonian through the Early Mississippian periods.

For more information about Devonian Corals of this area refer to this book, Kentucky Fossil Corals of the Silurian and Devonian Rocks of Kentucky by William J. Davis at this web page. This site is provided by the Kentucky Paleontological Society of Lexington, Kentucky. They also have a link to A Monograph of the Fossil Shells of the Silurian and Devonian Rocks of Kentucky by Henry Nettelroth at this web page. This link leads to Palaeontology Fossil Corals by Dr. C. Rominger (1876) that might be helpful as well.

 

Scroll down this web page and select a name of a particular fossil to view the image on its own page. Use the internet browser's back button to return to this page once through viewing the image. Some images maybe larger that resolution of the display so click on the image to expand it.

 

 

 

spongeSponges (Porifera)

Hindia sphaeroidalis (Duncan) embedded in chert nodule, Middle Devonian, Bardstown, KY

Stromatoporoid sp. Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Stromatoporoid with the mold of Murchisonia sp., Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., KY

Unidentified Sponge - North Vernon Formation, Clark Co., IN


horn coralCorals (Cnidaria)

Aulacophyllum sp. Horn Coral, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Aulocystis frutectosa (Davis), Middle Devonian, Beechwood Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Aulocystis sp., Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Aulopora sp., Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Chonostegites tabulatus (Edwards & Haime) Jeffersonville Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Craterophyllum magnificum (Billings) Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Cystiphylloides sp., Jeffersonville Limesone, Clark Co., IN

Cystiphylloides sp. Horn Coral, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Cystiphylloides sp. Horn Coral, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Enallophrentis inflata (Hall) Jeffersonville Limestone, Utica, Clark Co., IN

Enallophrentis inflata (Hall) Jeffersonville Limestone, Lyndon, Jefferson Co., KY

Enterophyllum rugosum probably Louisville, KY - Peabody Museum of Natural History - Yale University

Favosites (Emmonsia) emmonsi (Hall), Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Favosites (Emmonsia) epidermata Rominger, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Favosites turbinatus (Billings) "knee cap" Coral, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Favosites turbinatus (Billings) "knee cap" Coral, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Hadrophyllum orbignyi Edward & Haime - Button Coral, Speed Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Hadrophyllum orbignyi Edward & Haime - Speed Limestone, Oldham Co., KY

Hadrophyllum orbignyi Edward & Haime - upper Helderberg, Clark Co., IN - Peabody Museum of Natural History - Yale University

Heliophyllum sp. Horn Coral, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Heliophyllum sp. Horn Coral with Favosites clausus (Rominger), Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Heliophyllum venatum Horn Coral with borings, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Heliophyllum verticale Hall - Horn Coral, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Siphonophrentis elongata (Rafinesque & Clifford), species could grow to 60-80 cm in length, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., Louisville, KY

Siphonophrentis elongata (Rafinesque & Clifford), Middle Devonian, Falls of the Ohio River, Clarksville, Clark Co., IN - Peabody Museum of Natural History - Yale University

Stereolasma gallicalcar (Davis), Middle Devonian, Beechwood Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Tabulophyllum sp Horn Coral, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Tabulophyllum sp., Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Tabulophyllum zaphcentiforme., Beechwood Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Thamnoptychia alternans (Rominger), Middle Devonian, Beechwood Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Zaphrentis phrygia (Rafinesque & Clifford), Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., Louisville, KY

Zaphrentis phrygia (Rafinesque & Clifford), Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., Louisville, KY

Zaphrentis phrygia (Rafinesque & Clifford), Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., Louisville, KY

bryozoanBryozoans (moss animals)

Coscinium cribiformis (Prout) Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., KY

Eridotrypa sp., Speed Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Fenestrate Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Fistulipora sp. Middle Devonian, Silver Creek Limestone, Jefferson Co., KY

Hederella sp. encrusting Orthospirifer fornacula (Hall), Middle Devonian, North Vernon Formation, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., KY


brachiopodBrachiopods

Amphigena elongata (Hall), a rare specimen from the coral zone, Jeffersonville Limestone, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Athyris fultonensis (Swallow) with exposed lophophore, Clark Co., IN

Athyris fultonensis (Swallow), Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Barroisella sp, inarticulate brachiopod, Beechwood Limestone, Holloywood Sps, KY

Devonochonetes Silver Creek Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Lindstroemella aspidum (Hall & Clarke), inarticulate brachiopod attached to fenestrate bryozoan, Jeffersonville Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Lingula sp, Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Mediospirifer segmentum?, North Vernon Formation, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Megastrophia hemisphericus (Hall), (or M. concava (Hall)) Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., KY

Mucrospirifer sp., Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Paraspirifer acuminatus (Conrad), Deputy-Swanville Formation, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Paraspirifer acuminatus (Conrad), Deputy-Swanville Formation, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Paraspirifer sp., Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Protoleptostrophia perplana (Conrad), Speed Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Pseudatrypa sp., Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Pseudatrypa sp., geodized brachiopod, Middle Devonian, North Vernon Formation, Clark Co., IN

Pseudoatrypa sp., Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN


TrilobiteTrilobites (Arthropoda)

Anchiopsis anchiops? (Green) (or maybe a Glyptoambon) Clark Co., IN

Crassiproteus crassimarginatus (Hall) Beechwood Limestone, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Crassiproteus crassimarginatus (Hall) Jeffersonville Limestone, Middle Devonian, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Phacops rana (Green) aka Eldredgeops cephalon molt section, North Vernon Formation, Clark Co., IN

Phacops rana (Green) aka Eldredgeops cephalon with Manganese dendrites, North Vernon Formation, Clark Co., IN

Phacops rana (Green) aka Eldredgeops, North Vernon Formation, Sellersburg, Clark Co., IN

Phacops rana, (Green) aka Eldredgeops Silver Creek Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Phacops rana, (Green) aka Eldredgeops Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH


Snail or GastropodSnails (Gastropods/Mollusca)

Platyceras, Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Platyceras dumosum (Conrad), Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Platyceras dumosum (Conrad), Silver Creek Limestone, Utica, Clark Co., IN

Platyceras dumosum (Conrad), Silver Creek Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Platyceras thetis Silver Creek Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Pleuronotus decewi Billings, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Turbinopsis shumardi (DeVerneuil) internal cast, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Bullitt Co., KY

Turbinopsis shumardi (DeVerneuil), Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

tentaculitesTentaculites (Mollusca/Hyolithid?)

Tentaculites scalariformis Hall - Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Tentaculites scalariformis Hall - Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN


clamClams (Pelecypods/Mollusca)

Paracyclas elliptica (Hall) Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Paracyclas elliptica (Hall) Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Paracyclas lirata = P. rugosa (Hall) - Jeffersonville Limestone, Clark Co., IN

Paracyclas liriata = P. rugosa (Hall), Silver Creek Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Pseudaviculopecten princeps (Hall), Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Jefferson Co., KY

RostroconchRostroconch (Mollusca)

Hippocardia cuneus (Conrad) Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Hippocardia cuneus (Conrad) Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Hippocardia cuneus (Conrad), with its hood exposed (on left side), Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY

Hippocardia cuneus (Conrad),internal view, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Hippocardia sp., Silica Shale Formation, Sylvania, Lucas Co., OH

Hippocardia sp. (Conrad) Jeffersonville Limestone, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY


orthopodCephalopods (Mollusca)

Nautilis maximus Conrad, Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN


CrinoidCrinoids (Echinodermata)

Ancyrocrinus spinosus Hall - North Vernon Formation (Beechwood Limestone), Speed, Clark Co., IN

Ancyrocrinus sp. Beechwood Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Ancyrocrinus sp. Beechwood Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Dolatocrinus sp., Middle Devonian, Beechwood Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN

Megistocrinus sp., Middle Devonian, Beechwood Limestone, Jeffersontown, Jefferson Co., KY

Scyphocrinites? sp., Pegram Type Locality, TN

blastoidBlastoids (Echinodermata)

Elaeacrinus verneuili (Roemer) - Jeffersonville Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

Elaeacrinus verneuili (Roemer) - Jeffersonville Limestone, Utica, Clark Co., IN

Elaeacrinus verneuili (Roemer) - Jeffersonville Limestone, Utica, Clark Co., IN

annelidAnnelids

Gitonia coralliphili Clarke (annelid worm tubes) in Heliophyllum sp. (horn coral), Middle Devonian, Jeffersonville Limestone, Charlestown, Clark Co., IN

fishVertebrata: Pisces (Fish)

Dinichthys? sp. Fish Plate, Boston, Nelson Co., KY

Fish bone (gular plate?) in a bone bed, Middle Devonian, top of the Jeffersonville Limestone, Jeffersonville, Clark Co., IN, Falls of the Ohio State Park Collection

Onychodus sigmoides Newberry, Coelacanth fish tooth, Beechwood Limestone, Speed, Clark Co., IN

treePlant

Callixylon newberryi (Dawson) one of the oldest petrified woods, The research of Charles B. Beck (University of Michigan) suggests this genus might really be Archaeopteris, New Albany Shale, Clark Co., IN

 


 

A Note About Fossil Names

Fossils are named like any other biological species. The genus and trivial name (i.e., Auloceras + undulata) equals the species name. The author's last name is in parenthesis (Billings) if the genus name has been changed. It is not in parenthesis if the genus name is the original designation, such as Favosites niagarensis Hall. A subgenus will be noted like this: Favosites (Emmonsia) emmonsi Rominger. In this example the subgenus is Emmonsia. It was originally designated its own genus name, but recent research has folded it back into the genus Favosites. If the species name is not known, you will see an "sp." after the genus name (i.e., Cyclonema sp.). Names of fossils often seem to be in a state of flux, but that is the nature of research. We strive to place the most up-to-date names we can find with photos on our web site.

Abbreviations

Some abbreviations are used to make the entries smaller. They are Co. for County, KY for Kentucky, IN for Indiana, OH for Ohio, and TN for Tennessee.

 

Last Updated: 03/17/2009 - Fossil drawings © Michael Popp, 2009

 

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