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Fossils Found in the Calvert & Choptank formations at the Calvert Cliffs of Maryland

(The smallest divisions in the ruler are 1/8")

Invertebrates
(Crustaceans, shells, echinoderms, coral, ...)

Crustaceans

Crustaceans
Crab Claw Fragments
Crab claw tips (Ooooohhh... Ahhhhhhh...)

Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Matoaka Cottages, Calvert Co., MD

    • Bivalves

    Chesapecten Nefrens
    Bivalve
    Extinct Scallop
    These ones were found whole laying in a fresh fall.

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Calvert Cliffs, Calvert Co., MD
    Date:
  • June, 2007 Trip
    • This shell has a tiny one cemented to it. Kind of neat!

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Calvert Cliffs, Calvert Co., MD
    Size:
  • ~ 4 1/2" (113mm) wide
    Date:
  • June, 2007 Trip
    • Glycymeris sp.
    Bivalve
     Identification based on Glaser (1979, p22-23)
    These fragile bivalves, often with both halves still attached, are abundant in certain zones along the cliffs.

    Formation:
  • Calvert
    Age:
  • Early - Middle Miocene ~ 18-15 m.y.
    Location:
  • Randle Cliffs, Calvert Co., MD
    • Isognomon maxillata (Deshayes)
    Bivalve
     Identification based on Glaser (1979, p22-23)
    These shells are found in the Calvert and Choptank formations. In certain spots along the Choptank, they literally cover the entire ground, and you have to walk on them.
    These shells are very fragile, and difficult to find whole. Usually they are found as they appear in the image below. This species is characterized by the large grooved ligamental area.
    This is a view of a front and back of two specimens. Notice the large groves in the ligmental area, the part that attaches to the other side of the shell

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Early - Middle Miocene ~ 18-15 m.y.
    Location:
  • Near Kenwood Beach, Calvert Co., MD


    • Gastropods

    Ecphora sp.
    Extinct Gastropod
    Ecphora is the Maryland State fossil. Their shells are intricately shaped. They are very fragile, and are often found broken.

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Calvert Cliffs, Calvert Co., MD

    • Echinoderms


    Sand Dollar fragments
    If you collect anywhere along the Choptank, you are bound to encounter fragments like these. They are sand dollar fragments. Occasionally you can still make out the patterns on them.
    Complete ones are next to impossible to find.

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Early - Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Near Matoaka Cottages, Calvert Co., MD

    • Coral

    Astrhelid sp.
    Coral
     Identification based on Glaser (1979, p57).

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Early - Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Matoaka Cottages, Calvert Co., MD

    • Barnacles

    Balanus sp.
    Barnacle
     Identification based on Glaser (1979, p35)

    Formation:
  • Choptank
    Age:
  • Early - Middle Miocene ~ 15-12 m.y.
    Location:
  • Matoaka Cottages, Calvert Co., MD



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