The fossils at the Minkin site are about 100 million years older than the oldest dinosaurs. They include some of the oldest reptile footprints, associated with footprints of amphibians. The site has also produced footprints of a transitional group that had some characteristics of primitive reptiles but not all of them. Five different tetrapod species, at least, are responsible for the tricks that have been found. More than 100 fish-fin traces were made by small fish. Invertebrate traces were made by millipedes, wingless insects, horseshoe crabs, fly larvae, and others. Body fossils include insect wings and a primitive spider relative. More than 4000 specimens have been collected to date.
This is really a cool site.
The guidebook is about 30 pages long, includes a bunch of photographs, and it's free. I think it will soon be available as a free download from the website of the Alabama Paleontological Society, but for now, just ask me for it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Sounds interesting! Could you send me one of those guidebooks? You should have my snail mail address. If not, just let me know, and I'll send you an e-mail with my address.
Thanks!
no paper copies available just now. want a pdf while u wait?
That'll do. Thanks!
Post a Comment