Transcript Document 7638999

Documenting the Union Chapel
Mine
Ron Buta
University of Alabama
and
Alabama Paleontological Society
Discovery in Alabama
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surface coal mine
one of many in Walker Co., Alabama
tetrapod trackways in laminated shale
discovered by Ashley Allen 1999
quality of tracks very high
amateur/professional effort to document
Types of fossils found
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Temnospondyl amphibian traces (Matthewichnus caudifer,
Nanopus reidiae)
large anthracosaur tracks (Attenosaurus subulensis)
amniote trackways (Cincosaurus cobbi)
xiphosuran trackways and subsurface burrows (Kouphichnium)
millipede traces (Diplichnites gouldi)
fin traces of gnathosome fish (Undichna)
numerous insect burrows (Treptichnus, Arenicolites)
xiphosuran resting traces (Arborichnus repetitus)
allocthonous plant impressions, molds, and casts
pair of incomplete wings (Paleodictyoptera)
Period of Site
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Late Carboniferous (lower Pennsylvanian)
Langsettian Stage (Westphalian A)
310 million years
laminated fine-grained shales, gray
siltstones, coal seams
Where tracks found
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Spoil piles from mining operation
rocks with little organic content
found either exposed on surface, after
turning over a rock, or splitting a rock
NO in situ specimens
Documentation of the Fossil Site
- four “track meets” (events where track specimens are
brought to a meeting place, catalogued and photographed)
- Track Meet 1: August 19, 2000 at ALMNH
- “Great Track Layout” - July 27, 2001 - where the Union
Chapel monograph was first planned
- Trackway database website: 2001-2005, ~3000 photographs
of 2000 specimens
- Publication of the monograph: July 25, 2005
- accompanying DVD of photographs: planned 2006
The Photographic Trackway Database
http://bama.ua.edu/~rbuta/monograph/
Union Chapel Monograph - July 2005
Steven C. Minkin 1947-2004
Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site (Jan. 2000)
Alabama Licensed Professional
Geologist #925
Hunt, Lucas, and Pyenson - assessment of site
A “track meet” in progress
Selected specimens
Matthewichnus caudifer
Nanopus reidiae - holotype
Attenosaurus subulensis
Cincosaurus cobbi
Undichna
Undichna - showing evidence of schooling
Kouphichnium isp. - multiple trackways on same horizon
Kouphichnium aspodon
Kouphichnium aspodon
same trackway as previous slide, different horizon
Unassigned xiphosuran resting traces
Kouphichnium isp., showing relation to xiphosuran resting traces
Diplichnites gouldi
Arborichnus repetitus - xiphosuran resting traces
Treptichnus apsorum
Important behavioral traces
and body impressions
Possible swimming trace with small amphibian tracks
Nanopus reidiae - behavioral trackway showing obstacle avoidance
Evidence for group movement
cf. M. caudifer trackway with aestivation trace
Insect wings - Paleodictyoptera
Workshop on Permo-Carboniferous Ichnology
(May 2003)
Thank You!