Mississippian Fossils

Many life forms were abundant in the shallow seas covering Utah during the Mississippian Period. rugose or horn corals (above) were common during this time. They are abundant in the Gardison Limestone in Rock Canyon (refer to geologic map).

Brachiopods (above) are another common marine invertebrates that can be found in the Mississippian limestones of Rock Canyon. They are clam-like creatures that have two valves or shells of different sizes. Each valve, however, is bilaterally symmetrical. Brachiopods appear in the rock record as early as the Cambrian. Many species still live today in the world's oceans and seas. They were most abundant during the Paleozoic Era. (Samples courtesy of Scott Ritter)

Another characteristic marine invertebrate fossil seen in the Paleozoic rocks are crinoids (above). They can be found in the upper portions of Rock Canyon. These were animals which attached to a rock or seafloor and had a long stem made of individual plates. They resembled something like a fleshy flower. (Photos by Andrew Silver)