Devonian vertebrates/plants in NY?

[Paul1719]

So my son and I have been looking almost exclusively for signs of vertebrate life in Pennsylvania and almost exclusively and obviously in road cuts. My goal this year is to expand a little. I would like to visit Gilboa, site of the earliest known forest! That part of eastern NY state was the shoreline of an inland sea in the Appalachian basin during the middle Devonian. Many field trips are described here of fossils from that inland sea but almost exclusively invertebrate. I know in the past fossils have been found but I'm wondering if anything recent? I would assume if someone has a site they probably don't want to share specifics but just looking for what if anything people have found? 

[Fossildude19]

Hey Paul,

 

I know Forum member Erosionofspecies has found paleoniscoid and other fish fossils in Western NY. LINK 2 

Also, JamesandtheFossilPeach found a Placoderm jaw at Penn Dixie. 

 

This site lists over 100 different mentions of Fish fossil finds in New York.  A good starting point for any research.

[FossilDAWG]

Are you OK with microfossils?  There are some limestone horizons that are rich in tiny teeth of sharks and other fish.  You have to dissolve chunks of limestone in acetic acid and sift the residue.

 

Don

[Paul1719]

Hi Tim! 

Yes! I definitely have seen that. I actually put James in touch with James Boyle at Uof Buffalo who has studied the Large Arthrodires in the Appalachian basin. I'm interested in all of it but it's the eastern shoreline I am wondering about. Ironically, someone I know wrote an article on the bluestone sidewalks installed around here in the 19th century. Came from Ulster co. Apparently, a lot of plant material has been found there. It's Middle and Late Devonian. This is very close to the Acadian mountains so fast moving water and high energy environments, not necessarily good for preserving bone. Beautiful areas I've never even thought about going there.

 

Don, 

Yes! another thing on my bucket list. 

[Fossildude19]

Paul,

I haven't heard much about vertebrates of Eastern NY. Perhaps you know of the fossil sharks found in Cairo, NY?

Also the quarry somewhere in Eastern/Central NY with fish teeth.  (Onychodus)
@fossilcrazy  is probably well versed in the vertebrates in these areas?

[Misha]

3 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

Also the quarry somewhere in Eastern/Central NY with fish teeth.  (Onychodus)

Jamesville Quarry? 

It's in Central NY, but I've heard that the layer containing Onychodus there is almost entirely gone, not sure how accurate that is, but that's what I've been told 

[Misha]

This topic features what looks like a fish fossil from Schohaire Creek which has some of the same rocks found at Gilboa, but other than that I don't think I've seen any other fish remains from eastern NY:

 

 

[Darktooth]

31 minutes ago, Misha said:

Jamesville Quarry? 

It's in Central NY, but I've heard that the layer containing Onychodus there is almost entirely gone, not sure how accurate that is, but that's what I've been told 

That would be correct. Also they no longer allow clubs or individuals in the quarry.

[Paul1719]

Definitely Jamesville although it's more western NY. I have long thought about taking a ride out there but most of my recent trips to PA were short ones and without knowing much about it, just haven't. Someone , maybe Fossilcrazy has been in the quarry (long time ago) with PRI. I can't remember what was found but anything Onychodus would be pretty cool. Also just wondering if people have been looking in the Catskills (mountains) ? Never see anyone report here. Maybe a TFF field trip in the spring?

[Paul1719]

This looks a lot like the dermal plate material associated with the jaw. Very poor preservation but finding any fish material in the middle Devonian is cool! 

[Paul1719]

These fish fragments were from a boulder found on Rt6 near Laceyville, PA, the eastern edge of Bradford co. This is the western edge of the bluestone deposits and the easternmost Catskill formation fish. 
Clearly sarcopterygian, but because so degraded unidentifiable. These kinds of reduced sediments are no friend of bone preservation. On the other hand, plants seem to preserve very well under reduced conditions. So needless to say, vertebrates are unlikely but the plants represent the earliest in terrestrial evolution so that is pretty cool.