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Needmore Formation - Devonian Fossil Identification Page

Devonian Reef Fossils

Click on the type of fossil or scroll down to browse:

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Trilobites

Trilobites are a group of extinct arthropods (similar to crustaceans) with a hard shell. They are common in Devonian rocks in the Virginia / West Virginia area. Usually, almost all are partial trilobite molts. Occasionally whole ones are found. The most common trilobite is the Eldredgeops (Phacops) Trilobite.

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Eldredgeops Trilobites

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Brachiopod Fossils

Brachiopods look like little clams, however, they are actually very different.
Brachiopods are one of the most abundant fossils in the Needmore Formation and other Devonian formations in the area.
Some Brachiopods are still alive today, but Pelecypods (clams and such) far outnumber them.
There are many different types of Brachiopods. Many look nearly identical. Below is one of the more common ones that can be found.

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Rhipidomella sp.

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Coral Fossils

Coral pieces are abundant in the Needmore Formation. A few different types are shown below.

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Trachypora sp.

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Recommended Books:

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Fossil Collecting in the Mid-Atlantic States: With Localities, Collecting Tips, and Illustrations of More than 450 Fossil Specimens
by Jasper Burns, 1991

This book is a classic! Although some of the fossil hunting site listed in this book no longer exist, it shows what fossils can be found in the same area. What makes this book a classic is Jasper Burns incredible sketches of the locations and the fossils found at each location. It is a very descriptive and useful guide book. Even after all these years, I still find myself referencing it!

Included are numerous Carboniferous plant sites in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

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101 American Fossil Sites You've Gotta See
By Albert B Dickas, 2018
This is a great updated fossil sites book with at least one fossil site in each state. Each site is broken into 2 pages. One has detailed information, such as directions, GPS coordinates, formation information, etc... The other is dedicated to images of the site and the fossils found there. It also gives information on fossil 'viewing' sites such as dinosaur trackways, museums, and active excavations.

This book is great for both beginning and expert fossil collectors. Beginners will find fossil hunting much easier with this book and experts will find it to be a great reference.
Plus, my fossil photos are peppered throughout this book!

Here is a link to my Review of the book.