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A large fish from the Ashfield Shale SW of Sydney, Australia. The nodule it's in is really annoying to work with, it fractures vertically in most cases so lots of smaller pieces are missing. Unfortunately the specimen is pretty poorly preserved so I labelled one of the photos with what some parts may be, please feel free to correct me if any labels are incorrect. Also, it is difficult to photograph the details well due to poor contrast between the fossil and matrix, so hopefully these photos are adequate (I may readjust some soon). Thank you for any help! Skull Pectoral fin? Caudal fin Pelvic fin? Dorsal fin? Possible fin from the lower middle part of the body

Hi, I found this tooth- like fossil in a piece of bone bed in Aust, by the Severn Bridge in Bristol UK. I think it is an Icthyosaur tooth but I would like an expert opinion as I am a complete amateur. When I first found it I thought it was a bit of bone and stored it away in my shed. When I rediscovered it last week, it was crumbling badly so I did apply a bit of super glue to it to stabilise it and that's why it's a bit shiny. I know that's probably a bad thing to do but otherwise it would have disintegrated. Please could someone also advise what I should have done to stabilise it for future reference. Thank you,

A couple of days ago we had a quick trip just south of Sydney to show a researcher some potential temnospondyl tracks, but on our way home we had a quick look in some road cuttings for fossil fish. Many fantastic fossils have been found in the nodules which are common in this area, such as xenacanths, temnospondyls and various fish. This time, we were lucky enough to find a big nodule with quite a large fish inside, although it's pretty poorly preserved. We only had time to remove the skull and some of the front part of its body but I hope to get back there soon to remove the rest of the nodule. The nodule was really crumbly and broke into many pieces, so I had to spend a long time trying to fit it all back together once I got home. Here is what I have so far (not including the counterpart which is even more fragmentary): This image shows the skull (left), and some nicely preserved scales (top right) and part of what I believe to be the pectoral fins (far right): A close up of some scales: A nicely preserved bone from the rear of the skull which is on the counterpart: The site:

I managed another trip to Aust and as I had a better idea what I was looking for managed to get a few bits of bone bed to sift through back home - one of whch was this nicely preserved piece of what I presume is reptile bone (approx 6cm long?) My guess is a partial rib (although it is completely flat, with no visible curvature), in which case given size and location most probably Pachystropheus, but I'd love to get any more thoughts.

The Actinopterygian fish (also called ray-fined fish) are the third major group of jawed fish (alongside the Sarcopterygians and Chondrichthyans) that emerged during the Early-Late Silurian 439-425 Million Years ago. The Ray-finned fish were at first not as abundant as the Sarcopterygians, but gradually increased in diversity during the Carboniferous and Permian periods. The Actinopterygians at this time even managed to colonize freshwater habitats. But the group did lose some diversity during Permian-Triassic Extinction Event 252 Million Years ago, though not as much as the Sarcopterygian fish. But thankfully a decent amount of Actinopterygii survived and all living Actinopterygian fish (today one of the most diverse groups of fish currently on Earth) can trace their origins to these few hardy survivors. Here's a list of all currently known Actinopterygian fish genera and families that survived the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event. If I forget any examples, please let me know and I'll add the examples to the list promptly. Actinopterygii Semionotiformes Acentrophorus (Semionotiform) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 268-242 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=35134 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230110387_The_Permian_Fishes_of_the_Genus_Acentrophorus https://www.nature.com/articles/042366a0 Palaeonisciformes Pygopterus (Palaeonisciform) (Late Permian-Late Triassic, 259-201 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=149731 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263086548_A_first_record_of_late_Middle_Permian_actinopterygian_fish_from_Anatolia_Turkey https://cpb-eu-w2.wpmucdn.com/blogs.bristol.ac.uk/dist/1/555/files/2021/02/2019Jurong.pdf Atherstonia (Palaeonisciform) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 259-251 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=263365 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268810424_Permian-Triassic_Osteichthyes_bony_fishes_Diversity_dynamics_and_body_size_evolution Acrolepis (Palaeonisciform) (Early Carboniferous-Late Triassic, 360-201 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=34964 https://publikace.nm.cz/file/2728acfd17332bdb0a1a873988cf3595/18261/sbornik_B_3_4_www_stamberg_1_opr3-FINAL.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268810424_Permian-Triassic_Osteichthyes_bony_fishes_Diversity_dynamics_and_body_size_evolution Acipenseriformes Errolichthys (Acipenseriformes) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=241059 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269406596_Permian-Triassic_Osteichthyes_bony_fishes_diversity_dynamics_and_body_size_evolution_Supplementary_Tables_S1-S3 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.618853/full Bobasatraniiformes Bobasatrania (Bobasatraniiform) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-237.5 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=35078 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258034291_Triassic_actinopterygian_fishes_The_recovery_after_the_end-Permian_crisis https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346609564_A_Hiatus_Obscures_the_Early_Evolution_of_Modern_Lineages_of_Bony_Fishes Saurichthyiformes Saurichthys (Saurichthyiform) (Late Permian-Late Jurassic, 252.3-164.7 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=65068 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226590807_Vyazniki_biotic_assemblage_of_the_terminal_Permian https://www.readcube.com/articles/10.3389/feart.2020.618853 Hope you all find this list helpful!!!

Early last month I made a post regarding a specimen that I had recovered from the Newark Supergroup that I had thought could be a possible trace fossil. After discussing the find on the forum and contacting some experts on Newark material, it was determined that the specimen was in fact not a fossil. However, this find greatly increased my interest in the fossil content of the Culpeper Basin. Today I decided to visit one of my favorite streams with the intent of fishing - but I could not help checking out some exposed rocks, knowing well that the stream would cut through Newark strata. As a point of reference, I have included a map of the component formations of the Culpeper Basin that occur in northern Virginia. The red circle is approximately where the specimen in question was found, so it could have come from either the Bull Run Formation or the Manassas Sandstone. Weems, R. E., Culp, M. J., & Wings, O. (2007). Evidence for Prosauropod Dinosaur Gastroliths in the Bull Run Formation (Upper Triassic, Norian) of Virginia. Ichnos, 14(3-4), pp. 271-295. https://doi.org/10.1080/10420940601050030. When checking out the rocks I was simply hoping to learn something about the exposed strata that might indicate the formation present. However, I came across the intriguing specimen pictured below. I have not heard of any fossils coming from this particular area, so I am not sure whether the fossil is what it appears to be or whether it is something entirely different. A view of the entire specimen with the suspected carbonized plant material at the top end. I apologize for the poor picture quality. If better photographs are needed for identification, I would be more than happy to provide some in natural light. A closer image of what may be fossilized plant material. I believe that plant material has been recovered from the Bull Run Formation (where this specimen likely originated) so it could very well be a plant imprint. I know nothing of botanical terminology, but the horizontal lines across the specimen appear to be consistent with what might be expected from carbonized plant remains. It should also be noted that the specimen was found as a loose clast, though it was found among an abundance of very similar material. Hopefully this last photograph provides the necessary detail to properly evaluate the specimen. Again, if more photographs are needed be sure to let me know. Thanks in advance to everyone who comments on this post . @cck @EMP @Fossildude19

Welcome to another microscopic look into the wonderful world of coprolites. Here we have a squished (flattened) spiral coprolite from the prehistoric floodplains that now form the Bull Canyon Formation in the badlands of Quay County, New Mexico. Today's mystery was most likely not ingested. Many times the posterior (non-pinched end) of spiral coprolites can be hollow. I may be wrong, but I think this branchy thing (for lack of a better term) slipped in after it was expelled. To me this looks like part of a branch from a delicate coral - but the poop was in fresh water. Any ideas?

The Sarcopterygian fish (also called lobed-fined fish) are an ancient group of fish that emerged in the Late Silurian 425 Million Years ago and gave rise to the direct ancestors of the first land vertebrates, the amphibians during the Late Devonian. Today represented by the still living Coelacanths and Lungfish, These fish were incredibly common and diverse during the late Paleozoic. But the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event 252 Million Years ago nearly decimated the group. But thankfully some of the Sacopterygii survived and all living Sarcopterygians and trace their origins to these few hardy survivors. Here's a list of all currently known Sacropterygian fish genera and families that survived the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event. If I forget any examples, please let me know and I'll add the examples to the list promptly. Sarcopterygii Dipnoi (Lungfish) Gnathorhiza (Dipnoid) (Carboniferous-Early Triassic, 318.1-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=90709 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278743788_Environmental_significance_of_lungfish_burrows_Gnathorhiza_within_Lower_Permian_Wolfcampian_paleosols_of_the_US_midcontinent https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291808594_The_westernmost_occurrence_of_Gnathorhiza_in_the_Triassic_with_a_discussion_of_the_stratigraphic_and_palaeogeographic_distribution_of_the_genus Ceratodontiformes https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284186167_The_first_find_of_Permian_ceratodontids_Dipnoi_Osteichthyes_in_Russia Coelacanthiformes (Coelacanth fish) Coelacanthus (Coelacanthid) (Carboniferous-Early Triassic, 314.6-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=34911 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226724498_Erratum_to_A_coelacanthid-rich_site_at_Hasbergen_NW_Germany_taphonomy_and_palaeoenvironment_of_a_first_systematic_excavation_in_the_Kupferschiefer_Upper_Permian_Lopingian https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265184906_Coelacanths_from_the_Middle_Triassic_Luoping_Biota_Yunnan_South_China_with_the_earliest_evidence_of_ovoviviparity I hope you all find this list helpful!!!

The Permian-Triassic Extinction Event of 252 Million Years ago was one of Earth’s largest mass extinction events, wiping out around 75% of all terrestrial genera and 95% of all oceanic genera. Cephalopods (represented at the time mostly by ammonites and the still extant Nautilidae) were especially hit hard, with around 97% of all ammonite genera becoming extinct by the start of the Triassic. But those genera that survived the event formed the basis for a major radiation in cephalopod diversity. Ammonites (particularly those of the order Ceratitida) experienced an era of rapid diversification during the Triassic. Cephalopods continued to diversify in the later stages of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. Here’s a list of all currently known cephalopod genera and families that survived the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event. If I forgot any examples, please let me know and I’ll add the examples to the list promptly. Ammonoidea Prolecanitida Episageceras (Prolecanitid) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 254.0-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13964 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00653.x Ceratitida Xenodiscus (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 268.0-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=14458 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00653.x https://www.pnas.org/doi/pdf/10.1073/pnas.0907992106 Otoceras (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=14276 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00653.x https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/476/1/wignallpb2.pdf Ophiceras (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 254.0-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=14272 https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/3896 https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/136979/1/1-s2.0-S1871174X17300434-main-1.pdf Tompophiceras (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=14429 https://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app58/app20110054.pdf Anderssoniceratidae http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=86838 Prionolobus (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=82362 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277925393_First_occurrence_of_temnospondyls_from_the_Permian_and_Triassic_of_Turkey_Paleoenvironmental_and_paleobiogeographic_implications https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/136979/1/1-s2.0-S1871174X17300434-main-1.pdf Paratirolites (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 254.0-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=14312 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272149073_Importance_of_Carbon_Isotopic_Data_of_the_Permian-Triassic_Boundary_Layers_in_the_Verkhoyansk_Region_for_the_Global_Correlation_of_the_Basal_Triassic_Layer https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00653.x Hypophiceras (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=82367 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272149073_Importance_of_Carbon_Isotopic_Data_of_the_Permian-Triassic_Boundary_Layers_in_the_Verkhoyansk_Region_for_the_Global_Correlation_of_the_Basal_Triassic_Layer https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361222295_Biotic_Response_to_Rapid_Environmental_Changes_During_the_Permian-Triassic_Mass_Extinction Metophiceras (Ceratite) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=93264 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00653.x https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921818118301322 Orthocerida https://sjpp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s13358-019-00188-2 Belemnoidea Xiphoteuthididae http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=265569 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pala.12070 Nautilida Liroceratidae Paranautilus (Liroceratid) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 259-205 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13256 https://www.cnidaria.nat.uni-erlangen.de/tersane/tersane-papers/Korn&Gliwa_2019_The morphospace of Late Permian coiled nautiloids.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327721272_Aly_MF_2001_Middle_Triassic_Cephalopods_from_the_Musandam_Peninsula_Northern_Oman_Mountains_United_Arab_Emirates_Geo_Soc_Egypt_45_1B_463-479 Tainoceratidae Aulametacoceras (Tainoceratid) (Middle Permian-Early Triassic, 272-242 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13151 https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1207/report.pdf Germanonautilus (Tainoceratid) (Late Permian-Late Triassic, 254-201 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13201 https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/39311692.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327721272_Aly_MF_2001_Middle_Triassic_Cephalopods_from_the_Musandam_Peninsula_Northern_Oman_Mountains_United_Arab_Emirates_Geo_Soc_Egypt_45_1B_463-479 Holconautilus (Tainoceratid) (Late Permian-Late Triassic, 265-232 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13216 https://www.cnidaria.nat.uni-erlangen.de/tersane/tersane-papers/Korn&Gliwa_2019_The morphospace of Late Permian coiled nautiloids.pdf https://sjpp.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13358-022-00263-1 Pleuronautilus (Tainoceratid) (Late Carboniferous-Late Triassic, 298-205 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13270 https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/39311692.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336065301_A_Changhsingian_late_Permian_nautiloid_assemblage_from_Gujiao_South_China Tainionautilus (Tainoceratid) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 254.0-247.2 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13314 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336065301_A_Changhsingian_late_Permian_nautiloid_assemblage_from_Gujiao_South_China https://www.pim.uzh.ch/apps/cms/_downloads/bruehwiler_2012_ammonoids_salt_range.pdf Grypoceratidae https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1207/report.pdf Syringonautilidae Syringonautilus (Syringonautilid) (Late Permian-Late Triassic, 254-232 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=13311 https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/39311692.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292364105_Triassic_ammonoid_succession_in_South_Primorye_1_Lower_Olenekian_Hedenstroemia_bosphorensis_and_Anasibirites_nevolini_Zones I hope you all find this helpful?

The Permian-Triassic Extinction event of 252 Million Years (caused by massive volcanic eruptions in what is now Siberia) was one of the biggest mass extinctions in Earth's history (killing 75% of all land genera and 95% of all marine genera). The event marked the end of the Paleozoic and the beginning of the Mesozoic. Famous survivors of the extinction event include the Dicynodont Lystrosaurus, the Therocephalians Moschorhinus, Tetracynodon, Promoschorhynchus, the Archosaur Proterosuchus, and the Cynodont Thrinaxodon. One group of terrestrial survivors of the extinction event sometimes overlooked are the Amphibians, the original tetrapods. One resilient group not only survived the extinction event but experienced a rapid period of diversification during the Triassic. These were the truly iconic and mostly salamander like Temnospondyls (Temnospondyli). This group lasted from the Carboniferous until the Early Cretaceous period (330-120 Million Years ago). It’s also likely that they are the direct ancestors of today’s Lissamphibia (the most common group of Amphibians alive today). Here’s a list of all currently known amphibian genera and families that survived the Permian-Triassic Extinction Event. If I forget any examples, please let me know and I'll add the examples to the list promptly. Temnospondyli Rhinesuchidae Broomistega (Rhinesuchid) (Late Permian-Early Triassic. 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=266422 https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/39674584.pdf Micropholidae Micropholis (Micropholid) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=37033 https://www.sbpbrasil.org/revista/edicoes/10_3/pineiro.pdf https://bioone.org/journals/journal-of-vertebrate-paleontology/volume-41/issue-1/02724634.2021.1904251/First-Record-of-the-Amphibamiform-Micropholis-stowi-from-the-Lower/10.1080/02724634.2021.1904251.short Capitosauria Lydekkerina (Capitosaurid) (Late Permian-Early Triassic, 252.3-251.3 Million Years ago) http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=267018 http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=255237 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228494637_The_South_African_stereospondyl_Lydekkerina_huxleyi_Tetrapoda_Temnospondyli_from_the_Lower_Triassic_of_Australia https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317225232_The_Rhinesuchidae_and_early_history_of_the_Stereospondyli_Amphibia_Temnospondyli_at_the_end_of_the_Palaeozoic https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240535618_Cranial_anatomy_of_the_Early_Triassic_stereospondyl_Lydekkerina_huxleyi_Tetrapoda_Temnospondyli_and_the_taxonomy_of_South_African_lydekkerinids Rhytidosteidae http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=37110 https://www.sbpbrasil.org/revista/edicoes/10_3/pineiro.pdf Tupilakosauridae https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232672896_Slaugenhopia_texensis_Amphibia_Temnospondyli_from_the_Permian_of_Texas_is_a_primitive_tupilakosaurid I hope you all found this helpful?

Hello, I'm currently looking to purchase reptile material and found this Keichousaurus fossil from the Guizhou Province of China. It is being offered on a popular auction site. It is supposedly Triassic. Is this fossil genuine? Restored? Thanks for the help.

Went fossil hunting in the cumnock formation of North Carolina and as I was rinsing some of my dirty fossils one of them caught my eye. The curved shape is what threw me off and reminded me of a tooth. I double checked on here and saw another person that had something that looked similar to this and was a tooth. But just be sure, wanted to see what you guys think. Your input is appreciated! (Bottom picture is the confirmed Phytosaur tooth)

Hi everyone, I'm a first time fossil hunter and I went up to Turimetta head north of Sydney with a friend to try our luck. We found a few things splitting shale, and I was wondering what exactly they were - I understand that they're all probably plant material, if they are fossils, but wasn't sure exactly what type of plant they were from. Hopefully someone can help. Thank you in advance!

Hello all- Time to announce the 27th annual Tate Field Conference! Happening here in Casper, Wyoming on June 2-4. I would love to see some Forum members show up. Here is the info.... (We are going fully live, no online presentations or attendees). We hope you'll join us for the 27th Annual Tate Conference, "The Triassic: Gateway to the Mesozoic," June 2nd - 4th at the Tate Geological Museum. The conference features a day of speakers (Saturday June 3) and two days of field trips (June 2 and 4). Saturday evening includes a dinner and guest keynote speaker, Hans Sues of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. He will be speaking on new and exciting finds from the Triassic of Germany. We also have great field trips planned: Friday June 2… 33-Mile Road This trip will take us to the Triassic deposits on 33-Mile Road northwest of Casper in the area of the Red Wall. A site was found here in on July 7 1977, which led to the discovery of the type specimen of Heptasuchus. Crews from the University of Wisconsin (and others) have been exploring this area more recently. Aaron Kufner of UW Madison will lead the portion of this trip to a site the UW teams found and have been collecting nearby. We may do some surface collecting at the Heptasuchus site (officially called the Clarke Locality) as well. This trip is on BLM land, and done with permission of the BLM. Personal collecting of vertebrate fossils is not allowed on BLM land, so all fossils (including fragments) collected will be collected for the University of Wisconsin collections. This is also a sage grouse lekking and nesting area. If we run into sage grouse nests, we are to keep our distance and report the nest. Sunday June 4… Little Red Creek This trip will be an exploration of the Alcova Limestone. The Alcova Limestone was possibly deposited in a lagoonal situation and has produced one taxon of fossil vertebrate, the sauropterygian, Corosaurus alcovensis. Remains of this animal are only found in Natrona County, southwest of Casper (so far). We will be exploring a new area that presumably has not been explored for Corosaurus bones, or at least not since the 1980’s. The bones occur in resistant limestone best found on talus slopes, so this trip will incur some more difficult walking on steep slopes. This trip is on BLM land, and done with permission of the BLM. Personal collecting of vertebrate fossils is not allowed on BLM land, so all fossils (including fragments) collected will be collected for the Tate Museum collections under permit number PA10-WY -191. You can learn more about the talks and register online (or download a registration form) here https://www.caspercollege.edu/tate.../events/conference/