Paleozoic Tropics

On August 17th, I went on a group trip to the Starved Rock Clay Pit. I was specifically looking for some Listracanthus parts, and upon splitting open a large septarion nodule measuring roughly 2ft across, came upon what looked at first like a poorly preserved denticle. Upon returning home and examining more closely, it appeared to have segmentation. After showing photos of the specimen to Dave Carlson and Jack Wittry of ESCONI, it was identified as a rare  Tyrannophontes theridion Shram, 1969. From Wittry's book, The Mazon Ceek Fossil Fauna, "First discovered at Pit 11,  Tyrannophontes theridion was figured and described in 1969 by Shram. Subsequently, similar species were found preserved in the Pennsylvanian black shales of Iowa and Nebraska." Interestingly, nothing is mentioned of the black shales in Illinois. On a side note regarding the mysterious spiny, eel-shaped  Listracanthus that has eluded paleontologists for 150 years ,  a complete specimen has finally b

I discovered an excellent new locality a couple days ago. This locality is isolated, yet close to home, abounding with fossiliferous rocks of the Sugar Run formation( previously known as the Waukesha). In this modern world with everything being paved over and gated off, this can be a difficult task. This is a new species to me. It was found already exposed covered in mud. I didn't think much of at first and threw in my backpack. it is  Ceratocephala goniata, Warder 1838. The cephalon has three pairs of spines on it, which in this case, they are all broken off, however it appears under closer examination, there are a few broken spines hidden in the dolomite unable to be retrieved. Also, this trilobite appears to be blind, as it has no eyes. Encrinurus sp. Supposedly, these cephalons are rare in the Chicagoland area. Disappointed that the left eye stalk popped off during preparation, next time I am using tape! Still, a very nice specimen. I belie