PaleoNoel's Top Ten Fossils of 2022

[PaleoNoel]

Good evening to all my paleo peers! Tonight I’d like to share with you a selection of some of my favorite fossils found this year. I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in Montana over the summer, along with a few other fossil hunting opportunities here and there. As we hop into the New Year I'll kick things off aptly...

Frog Radioulna-Judith River formation, Montana

One of my all time best single fossil hunting days was spent in late June on a microsite in the Judith River badlands of northern Montana. Among the teeth of crocs, hadrosaurs and dromaeosaurs was this absolutely tiny limb bone. When reviewing my finds from this week I gathered up several of these micro bones and put them in a gem jar. I brought this minute group along with a small portion of my collection on my recent visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. While exploring their collections I met amphibian expert Amy Henrici, who recognized it as the distinctive fused lower arm bone from a frog, also known as a radioulna. Yesterday I was able to take clear, close up pictures of this tiny limb on my digital microscope and subsequently posted it as my fossil friday on instagram (same username). I was excited to learn about its identity as it’s the first example of a frog fossil in my collection that I’m aware of! This little guy would have likely been on the menu for a whole host of predators, including Dromaeosaurs and Troodontids. The recent discovery of Daurlong provides evidence of a predator prey relationship between these two groups. 

Edited January 1, 2023 by PaleoNoel

[PaleoNoel]

Dromaeosaur Premaxillary Tooth-Judith River formation, Montana

Another highlight find from the microsite, albeit slightly more immediately recognizable was this Dromaeosaurid premaxillary tooth, bearing its distinctive enamel ridges. This specimen compares well with those I’ve seen of Saurornitholestes but could also belong to Dromaeosaurus. 

[PaleoNoel]

Lizard Jaw-Judith River formation, Montana

I love finding lizard material and this was my first example of a squamate from the Judith River. I haven’t gotten around to getting a closeup shot, but it certainly warrants one, so I’ll post one soon. I’ll be checking the literature to see what this compares best with, but for now this little lizard is a cool addition to my collection of the Judithian ecosystem.

[PaleoNoel]

Troodontid Tooth-Judith River formation, Montana 
One of the first dinosaur teeth I ever found was a Troodontid tooth in 2017 on this same ranch. That summer was also the last time I had found any troodontid teeth until this most recent trip. A big shoutout to Harry for calling me over called me over to look at something he found, leading me to spot this beautiful dark chocolate colored tooth embedded in the slope. I appreciate his graciousness in letting me keep the tooth despite its proximity to his collecting space. The tip of the tooth is has a slight ding thanks to a wear facet, undoubtedly used on an unsuspecting small animal, perhaps one of the types featured above.

Edited January 2, 2023 by PaleoNoel

[PaleoNoel]

Dromaeosaur Tooth-Judith River Formation

Capping off my finds from the Judith River, this gorgeous Dromaeosaurid tooth was arguably the nicest quality sample from that excellent day. I had kneeled down to pick up a croc tooth and smaller Dromaeosaur tooth when I noticed this specimen sitting exposed in the sediment. Finding this little gem ended my hot streak of theropod teeth at this locality, with a total of 9 before breaking for lunch! Definitely a day I will always remember.

[Praefectus]

Nice finds! 

[PaleoNoel]

23 hours ago, Praefectus said:

Nice finds! 

Thanks Trevor. I know 2022 has been a productive year for you as well, congratulations! I'm excited to see what the future holds.

Edited January 2, 2023 by PaleoNoel

[Maniraptora]

Wow, these are all amazing!

[PaleoNoel]

Moving on to the younger sediments of the Hell Creek, which I spent two weeks exploring prior to my time in the Judith River. I'll start with my best discovery from this adventure, which I found on my first day in the field!

Hesperornithiform Vertebra- Hell Creek formation, Montana 

One of my rarest finds yet and one of potential scientific significance is this light colored, air filled avian cervical vertebra. Based on its overall size and through comparison with known Hesperornithiform material I found online (especially Bell & Chiappe 2015), I am confident in its identity. Additionally, for those who may question whether or not it's truly a fossil and not just a modern bird bone, I performed a flame test, which produced no stink of burning collagen. I recently showed this bone to Dr. Matthew Lamanna at the Carnegie Museum, who agreed with my analysis. Pictures are currently being sent to other experts. 

From a modern perspective, it's strange to think about birds with teeth, but for much of their evolutionary history they possessed them. These loon-like swimming forms may be known primarily from marine ecosystems, but examples from formations like the Hell Creek provide evidence that they inhabited freshwater as well. The two named taxa from the Lancian biota are Potamornis and Brodavis, both of which are incredibly fragmentary and not known from vertebral elements.

[jpc]

NIce bird vert.  I remember seeing it here earlier this year.  

[PaleoNoel]

3 hours ago, jpc said:

NIce bird vert.  I remember seeing it here earlier this year.  

Thanks JP, definitely one of my favorite finds ever!

[PaleoNoel]

Large Coprolite- Hell Creek formation, Montana

On a windy afternoon I set out into the badlands of this particular ranch with the intention of revisiting a site which I had found the year before (more on that once I get to writing last years trip report...). When crossing paths with another fossil hunter who had visited this spot earlier, he told me that it seemed to be picked over. I was not deterred but I did temper my expectations. Lucky for me this locality managed to provide once again! While a number of smaller vertebrate microfossils were found including a few croc teeth, the highlight from this visit turned out to be a trace fossil. I was noticing an abundance of light colored coprolites scattered throughout the site, with most being no large than a kidney bean, however, I bent down to inspect something interesting and when I popped it out of the ground I found that my guess was correct and it was a rather large fossil turd! 

While it's difficult to say what it may have belonged to, the size and the later discovery of a potential fish scale inclusion suggests that it may have been pinched off by a crocodilian or another large piscivore. Additionally, it compares well with coprolites found in the Green River formation which are referred to as croc coprolites. This find is now the largest coprolite in my collection and another highlight dookie to pair with one from a mammalian carnivore from the White River fm. in Wyoming. 

[PaleoNoel]

Mammal Tooth- Hell Creek formation, Montana

Continuing to survey the same site, shortly after the coprolite discovery, I noticed an anthill lower along the hillside and naturally felt obligated to inspect it. That compulsion paid off with the discovery of this tiny mammal tooth. Upon close inspection it has a morphology which I've never seen before, at least with any of the material which I've been lucky enough to find thus far. However, my initial guess is some kind of multituberculate, although I am interested in more input. It has both a fluted ridge and a flatter grinding surface, which would suggest to me that it's some type of transition tooth position between the molars/molariforms in the rear and the more anteriorly positioned teeth toward the front (premolars, canines & incisors?). I believe this warrants its own fossil ID thread but I wanted to include it here first. I assume the small fibers around the tooth are an unfortunate biproduct of the gem jar its stored in, I do not believe they are organic in origin. 

Edited January 6, 2023 by PaleoNoel

[Al Dente]

3 hours ago, PaleoNoel said:

Upon close inspection it has a morphology which I've never seen before, at least with any of the material which I've been lucky enough to find thus far. However, my initial guess is some kind of multituberculate, although I am interested in more input.

It looks similar to a modern insect mandible. Is it light weigh compared to other fossils from the site?

image from-https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/insect-mouthparts

 

 

Edited January 6, 2023 by Al Dente

[Troodon]

On 12/31/2022 at 8:37 PM, PaleoNoel said:

Dromaeosaur Premaxillary Tooth-Judith River formation, Montana

Another highlight find from the microsite, albeit slightly more immediately recognizable was this Dromaeosaurid premaxillary tooth, bearing its distinctive enamel ridges. This specimen compares well with those I’ve seen of Saurornitholestes but could also belong to Dromaeosaurus. 

 

This tooth is definitely "cf Saurornitholestes".  Dromaeosaurus premaxillary teeth are quite different and not compressed.  Nice find.

 

 

On 12/31/2022 at 9:36 PM, PaleoNoel said:

Troodontid Tooth-Judith River formation, Montana 
One of the first dinosaur teeth I ever found was a Troodontid tooth in 2017 on this same ranch. That summer was also the last time I had found any troodontid teeth until this most recent trip. A big shoutout to Harry for calling me over called me over to look at something he found, leading me to spot this beautiful dark chocolate colored tooth embedded in the slope. I appreciate his graciousness in letting me keep the tooth despite its proximity to his collecting space. The tip of the tooth is has a slight ding thanks to a wear facet, undoubtedly used on an unsuspecting small animal, perhaps one of the types featured above.

 

This can be assigned to Troodon formosus

 

 

On 12/31/2022 at 11:46 PM, PaleoNoel said:

Dromaeosaur Tooth-Judith River Formation

Capping off my finds from the Judith River, this gorgeous Dromaeosaurid tooth was arguably the nicest quality sample from that excellent day.

 

Beautiful tooth indeed.  Have you done a serration count to verify it's a Dromaeosaurid?

[Tidgy's Dad]

Looks like you had a good year. 

I hope that 2023 is even better for you.

[jpc]

PaleoNoel.... al dente is right, this is an insect mandible... pretty common in the anthills around here.  Hate t ruin one of you top ten, but this means you get to post No 11. 

 

I always thought they were beetle jaws, but thanks, al dente, for posting the page about grasshopper jaws.  Learn something new every day.

[PaleoNoel]

19 hours ago, Al Dente said:

It looks similar to a modern insect mandible. Is it light weigh compared to other fossils from the site?

image from-https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/insect-mouthparts

 

3 hours ago, jpc said:

PaleoNoel.... al dente is right, this is an insect mandible... pretty common in the anthills around here.  Hate t ruin one of you top ten, but this means you get to post No 11. 

I always thought they were beetle jaws, but thanks, al dente, for posting the page about grasshopper jaws.  Learn something new every day.

Indeed you do appear to be correct! Good catch.

Well that's certainly a downer, but to take its place...

Mammal Tooth-Hell Creek formation, South Dakota

I'll share another mammal tooth, this time what appears to be an incisor. I found this on a hot afternoon during a one day visit to a another Hell Creek ranch, this time in South Dakota. Like my pseudo mammal tooth featured above, it was also an anthill find, working to reinforce my habit of focusing on them. 

[PaleoNoel]

19 hours ago, Troodon said:

This tooth is definitely "cf Saurornitholestes".  Dromaeosaurus premaxillary teeth are quite different and not compressed.  Nice find.

 

This can be assigned to Troodon formosus

 

Beautiful tooth indeed.  Have you done a serration count to verify it's a Dromaeosaurid?

Thanks Troodon. No I have not yet gotten the serration count on that tooth, I was just going off appearance. I'll check soon.

7 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

Looks like you had a good year. 

I hope that 2023 is even better for you.

Thank you! I'm excited for what's in store!

[PaleoNoel]

Associated Champsosaurus Vertebrae-Hell Creek (Fort Union?) formation, Montana

Another favorite find from this summer was this set of five associated Champsosaur verts. I found these on one of the windiest and coldest days I've ever experienced in the field. I noticed these first two lying next to one another in a wash along the hillside I was descending and eventually I was able to find three more after searching the immediate area. These hills were high in elevation relative to the rest of the ranch and I did not find any dinosaur material at this level, however I did find abundant petrified wood. I believe there is a chance that these exposures could have been from the Paleocene Fort Union formation, but that is simply speculation.

[PaleoNoel]

Now for my last entry...

Theropod Claw-Hell Creek formation, Montana

I spent most of this day digging on site, however as the hours waned I was given the opportunity to go explore and collect a bit.  After checking out another participants discovery, I crested a few rises as I moved away and in the iron siderite spill at the base of a slope I spotted this little claw. While I'm confident on its identity as a theropod, I'm unsure if it's complete enough to be identifiable beyond that. Regardless, one of my favorite finds of my time out west.

Thanks for tuning in! I hope you enjoyed seeing some exciting finds from an excellent adventure. 

 

[jpc]

nice stuff... I think you are correct that the champsosaur bones are Paleocene.  In my experience in the Hell Creek, it seems the upper layers are devoid of dinosaurs and rich in petrified wood and are likely Paleocene Fort Union Fm, which looks a lot like the HC unless you study the fossils and the coal layers.  Nice one, finding 5 verts together. 

[PaleoNoel]

On 1/6/2023 at 5:02 AM, Troodon said:

Beautiful tooth indeed.  Have you done a serration count to verify it's a Dromaeosaurid?

I’ve not done an official count, but I just took a closeup of the serrations and I feel that they are more Dromaeosaur like, along with a the mesial carinae being less pronounced than distal.

[Troodon]

1 hour ago, PaleoNoel said:

I’ve not done an official count, but I just took a closeup of the serrations and I feel that they are more Dromaeosaur like, along with a the mesial carinae being less pronounced than distal.

That fits Tyrannosaurid teeth also.  They can have DSDI's > 1.    If you want to try to ID will need that count midline and straight in photos of the two sides, base and entire mesial carina.