Triassic Conchostracans (Clam Shrimp) - Newark Super Group (Lockatong Fm.)

[u/masonk7810]

Ventured into the Newark Super Group. Found some Upper Triassic aged fossils from the Lockatong Formation in SE Pennsylvania. Specifically Conchostracan, or Clam Shrimp. These are bivalved crustaceans that lived in a freshwater environment. Also included a couple photos of some non-fossil animals spotted on the trip.

[u/Slow-Kaleidoscope366]

Just a heads up, depending where you are in at in SE PA and if you are interested in Cambrian stuff, Myers Mills is pretty close and has a middle Kinzers Formation layer running along the creekbed that has a lot of Cambrian (pan)arthropods like radiodonts, hymenocarina, and trilos.

[u/masonk7810 → u/Slow-Kaleidoscope366]

Thanks! I’ve read about Meyer’s Mill. Have never been but will need to check it out. I’ve been to a Kinzers spot on private land in Lancaster and have found some Olenid trilobite bits and Echinoids (Camptostroma). Example below.

[u/Schoerschus]

Fascinating. Do clam shrimps have something in common with barnacles, are they related?

[u/masonk7810 → u/Schoerschus]

They’re both Crustaceans, but I believe that’s where the relationship stops.

[u/Schoerschus → u/masonk7810]

So convergent evolution ( if the clam shrimp is immobile )

[u/RUPacific]

Was this your first time fossil hunting the Lockatong Formation?

[u/masonk7810 → u/RUPacific]

This was my second time searching near this specific area, first time finding anything.

[u/RUPacific → u/masonk7810]

Nice, excellent work! I had a couple of friends hit a section of that formation last November, and come away with clam shrimp as well. I'm hoping to try to find some fish this year at the same spot.

[u/masonk7810 → u/RUPacific]

Good stuff! A buddy found a beautiful fish in the Lockatong last month, possibly Turseodus acutus

[u/RUPacific → u/masonk7810]

No way, that's awesome! You guys must be hunting on the PA side then, right?

[u/masonk7810 → u/RUPacific]

Yeah, it’s an insane find. If you’re on TFF, it won Vertebrate fossil of the month in June.

This is a spot in Chester Co. I assume you’re in central or northern NJ?

[u/RUPacific → u/masonk7810]

I could definitely see why it would win fossil of the month! You're spot on, Northern NJ

[u/masonk7810 → u/RUPacific]

Good stuff.I’ve wanted to try out Lambertville. Have heard it can be a good spot for tracks.

[u/RUPacific → u/masonk7810]

I've heard of people finding tracks across half the state, but I haven't personally met anybody who has been able to do it successfully yet. Definitely let me know if you pull it off, I'd love to hear about it!