Let's see your Southern Midcontinent (USA) Cambrian fossils! Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, bring it.

[pefty]

Hardly anybody ever talks about the Cambrian fossils of the southern midcontinent (USA). They're super-underappreciated. Show us what you've got!

Here's one to start us off: Thorax and pygidium of a trilobite, possibly Orygmaspis, typically referred to as "Orygmaspis cf. Orygmaspis llanoensis" but probably a different species altogether. Note the two pairs of macropleural spines marking the final thoracic segments. Davis Formation (late Cambrian: Furongian), south side of Highway 8, St. François County, Missouri.

[Diplocaulus]

I sadly do not have any Southern fossils, but I'm excited to see how this thread develops!

[pefty]

Here are some more specimens from the late Cambrian (Furongian) Davis Formation of St. François County, Missouri, USA. These were found and prepped by @California Dave.

[pefty]

One more, this one a ventral view of an Orygmaspis thoracopygon from the Davis Formation (Furongian, Missouri, USA). Note mostly buried pleural spines with tips barely emerging from sediment. 

[pefty]

Found two weeks ago by Cam: this cranidium+thorax of what appears to be Orygmaspis sp. based on the faintly visible macropleural spines. Davis Formation, Late Cambrian (Furongian), St. François County, Missouri, USA. 

[pefty]

Update on Cam’s specimen

[Ironhead42]

I have barely begun fossil hunting in Oklahoma even though I live here. I have made two trips to Texas so far to collect though. Some nice specimens you have. I am looking forward to seeing what else others post that I might find here in Oklahoma.

[pefty]

Ironhead, it's quite a state for fossils! The Ordovician (most south-central OK) is outstanding for trilobites and echinoderms, and of course the Devonian trilobites (SE OK) are world-class. The Pennsylvanian and Permian (eastern and central OK) are quite nice as well, though I haven't really spent time in them. Good Cretaceous too (southern OK)! As for the Cambrian and Mississippian, I know there are decent trilobites in both, despite the limited outcrop area. I look forward to seeing your future posts about OK finds.

[pefty]

Just saw that @Raistlin has posted a nice example of a southern midcontinent Cambrian trilobite here:

 

 

Edited June 15 by pefty