Paleontology I I Fossil Classification

GOL 106: Historical Geology
Northern Virginia Community College

Dr. Victor P. Zabielski
Paleontology Lab II
Classification of Fossils
Objective:
The objective of this lab is to introduce you to the classification scheme for
fossil invertebrates. You will learn what features distinguish the major Phylums,
Classes and Orders of invertebrates and how to use these to identify fossils.
Introduction:
This weeks lab represents the second in a series of labs devoted to fossils and
fossilization. Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) first proposed a hierarchical classification
system for all living organism based on the number or type of shared characteristics.
Organisms with many shared characteristics were classified together in larger, less
distinct and more inclusive categories. The further one proceeded down the list, the more
characteristics that needed to be shared. The Linnaean scheme is as follows with the first
category being the most inclusive with the least number or characteristics in common.
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Biologists can easily classify an organism down to a genus or species level. Although
this can be done for many fossils, it cannot be done for all since many fossils do not
preserve enough detail to allow for such detailed identification. For this lab, and for most
fossils, it is only necessary to identify an organism down to its class or order. Often it
may only be possible to classify an organism down to its Phylum.
Assignment:
A representative collection of invertebrate fossils has been provided for you to
examine. Go through the various Phylums, Classes and Orders and fill out the
information sheet for each of the major fossil types. Be sure you know the characteristics
of each fossil that place it in each of the classification categories. Complete a data sheet
for each type of fossil identified on the accompanying classification sheet.
Note: Be sure you understand how to read the classification table. A sponge
sample will fulfill your need for the Phylum Porifera, but a tabulate coral will be
classified as Phylum Cnidaria, Class Anthozoa, and Order Tabulata.
You may need to print out additional data pages in order to have one for each sample,
or just use blank sheets of paper to record the information.
Chapter 3 (The Diversity of Life) in your text (pg. 49) may be helpful in identifying the
characteristics that distinguish each group of organisms
Another good link is located at:
http://web.newsguy.com/dhacat/geo/
This site was created by a former NVCC student in Historical Geology and
contains images of all the fossil groups you are studying in this lab.
Fossil Classification Lab

Kingdom ANIMALIA multicellular, sexually reproducing heterotrophs
Phylum Porifera sponges, single or colonial, composed of siliceous or calcareous spicules that fuse
together, marine
Phylum Cnidaria (Scyphozoa jellyfish; Hydrozoa sea anemones; Anthozoa corals) bodies
composed of two layers enclosing a central cavity, radial symmetry
Class Anthozoa - corals
Order Tabulata individual corallites partitioned by transverse tabulae, no septa
(Ord-Per)
Order Rugosa four primary septa, secondary ones evolve during maturity(Cam-Per)
Order Scleractinia septa in sets of six or multiples of six.
Phylum Bryozoa aquatic, sessile, colonial (Ord present)
Phylum Brachiopoda marine bivalve, filter feeding, bilateral symmetrical (Paleozoic, still remain in
very small numbers)
Phylum Mollusca diverse group with a muscular foot, usually with hard shell (unsegmented)
shellfish, with head and muscular foot
Class Gastropoda trochoidal spiral
Class Bivalvia bivalve with top and bottom valve mirror images of each other
Class Cephalopoda bilaterally symmetrical, has head and tentacles
Subclass Nautiloidea segmented shell, uncoiled or planispiral, straight or simple sutures
Subclass Ammonoidea segemented shell, uncoiled or planispiral, highly ornate sutures
Subclass Coleoidea shell is reduced or missing, squid, belemnoid
Phylum Annelida segmented worm forms burrows
Phylum Arthropoda Segmented exoskeleton and paired, jointed limbs, bilaterally symmetrical
Superclass Trilobitomorpha
Class Trilobita trilobites, 3 lobed body, bilaterally symmetrical (Paleozoic)
Superclass Crustacea
Class Cirripedia - fused head and body (barnacles)
Phylum Echinodermata 5 fold symmetry with body composed of plates with spines
SubPhyllum Crinozoa Sessile. attached to sea floor by tubular, segmented stem. Calyx attached
by ligaments usually decays after death causing plates to separate.
Class Crinoidea has long stem. Long brachioles (arms) on calyx (head)
SubPhyllum Blastozoa Sessile. attached to sea floor by tubular, segmented stem. Theca (calyx)
plates are fused allowing head to remain intact after death.
Class Blastoidea blastoids, has short stem. Symmetrical arrangement of plates and arms.
Class Rhombifera cystoids. Primitive relatives of blastoids. Irregular arrangement of
plates and arms
SubPhylum Echinozoa sea urchins Motile, able to move, five plates

Class Echinoidea sea urchins, sea biscuits, sand dollars
SubPhylum Asterozoa- Motile. star shaped
Class Asteroidea star fish (no central body)
Class Ophiuroidea brittle star (has distinct central body
Unknown Tentaculita small, conical shell, tapers at end, concentric ribs along length (genus?)
Kingdom PROTISTA
Phylum Protozoa unicellular heterotrophs
Class Sarcodina
Order Foraminifera
Order Radiolaria
Common name: ____________________

Phylum: ____________________
Distinguishing characteristic of Phylum
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SubPhylum: ____________________
Distinguishing characteristic of SubPhylum
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Class: ____________________
Distinguishing characteristic of Class
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Order/SubClass: ____________________
Distinguishing characteristic of Order/SubClass
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Single animal (solitary) or a colony of many animals (colonial)? _________________________
Age of first appearance/evolution: ___________________________________________
When did it go extinct (if applicable): _______________________________________________
Method of fossilization: __________________________________________________________
Common name: ____________________

Phylum: ____________________
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Method of fossilization:___________________________________________________________

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GOL 106: Historical Geology

Northern Virginia Community College

Fossil Classification Lab

SubPhylum Echinozoa sea urchins Motile, able to move, five plates

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