Fine Mississippian Bear Gulch Fossil Polychaete Worm

With Preserved Jaws

Polychaete Worm Fossil

Phylum Annelida, Class Polychaeta

Geological Time: Mississippian (~320 m.y.a.)

Size: Fossil is 70 mm long (curve measure) Matrix: 135 mm by 145 mm

Fossil Site: Heath Shale Formation, Bear Gulch Limestone, Fergus County, Montana

Fossil Code: BGF633

Price: Sold


Polychaete FossilDescription: The Bear Gulch Limestone is a deposit of some 70 square km in extent and 30 m in depth that has been a source of one of the most diverse assemblages of fossil fish with some 110 species having been described over the past 30 years. Most were new toAnnelida science, and provided a unique view of the marine environment of Mississippian times. Fine preservation of both fish and invertebrates is a hallmark of these deposits, presumably due to an anoxic depositional environment. Like the deposits of Mazon Creek, and extensive variety of worms are preserved at Bear Gulch. This specimen is a member of the Pplychaeta, or Bristle Worms. The short bristles on this one are quite evident, as well as the jaws near the tip of the head. The person who collected this one in the field told me that these worms were responsible for damage to many fish prior to fossilization.

Reference: Trans. San Diego Soc Nat Hist, Vol 10. No 9 8 Nov 1979 pp 107-120.

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