Brachiopods - Jacksboro, Jack Co., TX

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Brachiopoda, Class: Rhynchonellata, Order: Rhynchonellida, Family: Wellerellidae 

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Brachiopoda, Class: Strophomenata, Order: Productida, Family: Rugosochonetidae, Productellidae, Echinoconchidae

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Brachiopoda, Class: Rhynchonellata, Order: Athyridida, Family: Athyrididae, Neoretzidae

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Brachiopoda, Class: Rhynchonellata, Order: Spiriferida, Family: Elythidae

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Brachiopoda, Class: Strophomenata, Order: Orthotetida, Family: Derbylidae

This Pennsylvanian Formation from 300 million years ago contains many types of brachiopods.  Brachiopods are marine invertibrates that are hinged, but are typically not symmetrical, having an upper and lower shell connected by a hinge.  This formation in Jacksboro is exposed as a result of building the Lost Creek Dam.  When the dam was built, the excavation needed to build the dam resulted in a cut that now has ravines that wash out when it rains.  The resulting exposure is filled with marine fossils including the brachiopods shown below. Measurements are in centimeters. Thanks again to Dr. Ben Neuman for help with the identification of these specimens.

Click on images to enlarge.