Name: Archipolypoda; Euphoberiidae; Euphoberia tracta
Age: Pennsylvanian (~300 m.y.a.)
Size (25.4mm=1 inch): 50 mm long Matrix: 58 mm by 33 mm
Location: Francis Creek shale, Morris, Illinois (Mazon Creek)
Code: CB04
Price: $195.00 - sold
 Description:
The Mazon Creek deposits of the region near Braidwood, Illinois rival
the other famous Lagerstatten of the Burgess Shale, Solnhofen, and
Liaoning for the variety of detailed life preserved. Many exquisitely
preserved specimens are found in the ironstone nodules that make up
the deposits. The majority of collecting areas are the spoil heaps
of abandoned coalmines, the most famous of which is Peabody Coal Pit
11. Pit 11 now serves as a cooling pond for the Braidwood nuclear
power plant, but with over 100 other localities, specimens still come
to light. This fine example is one of the spiny millipedes known as
Euphoberia tracta. The fossil history of millipedes dates back to
the Silurian, with some fossil burrows which may be attributed to
millipedes having been found in the Devonian. Since millipedes live
in habitats such as moist forest floors, fossilization is a very chancy
occurrence. It is thought that they made the transition to fully terrestrial
forms early in their evolutionary history. These are thought to have
led a cursorial existence in more open habitats where their spines
would have aided in warding off would-be predators. |
