Common Missouri Fossils

Trilobites Trilobites are extinct sea creatures that were one of the first forms of life on earth. They ruled the world before the time of the dinosaurs. Trilobites are extinct sea creatures that were one of the first forms of life on earth. They ruled the world before the time of the dinosaurs.

What do you think Trilobites are related to?

Trilobites Today Their closest living relative today is the horseshoe crab. Their closest living relative today is the horseshoe crab. They are also related to the lobster and crab. They are also related to the lobster and crab.

Fern Fossils The fern fossil records extend back 400 million years ago. The fern fossil records extend back 400 million years ago. Ferns live in a wide range of habitats, ranging from the tropics to cold temperate regions. Ferns live in a wide range of habitats, ranging from the tropics to cold temperate regions.

Are ferns the same today as they were 400 million years ago?

Modern Ferns Yes. Did you know that ferns have leaves, called fronds, which usually consist of leaflets.

Crinoids Crinoids resemble flowers, with their cluster of waving arms on a long stem. They are sometimes called sea lilies. Crinoids are not plants. They are animals that have lived in the world's oceans more than 490 million years ago.

What are modern Crinoids?

Crinoid relatives Modern day relatives are starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and feather stars. Modern day relatives are starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and feather stars. A Passion Flower feather star

Ancient Gastropods Gastropods are the most diverse and abundant type of mollusks, with nearly 35,000 living and 15,000 fossil species identified so far. Gastropods are the most diverse and abundant type of mollusks, with nearly 35,000 living and 15,000 fossil species identified so far. Gastropods include snails, slugs, conchs, whelks, and limpets. Gastropods include snails, slugs, conchs, whelks, and limpets.

What are modern gastropods?

Modern Gastropods Present day relatives are both marine and land snails and slugs. Present day relatives are both marine and land snails and slugs.

Fossil Bivalves Bivalves are among the oldest fossils from more than 500 million years ago. Bivalves are among the oldest fossils from more than 500 million years ago.

Do you have any idea what modern Bivalves are?

Modern Bivalve Bivalves are mollusks. Bivalves are mollusks. They have two shells that are right and left handed which are asymmetrical. They have two shells that are right and left handed which are asymmetrical.

Fossilized Fish Fish are the most abundant of all living vertebrates and make up more than half of the approximately 48,500 species with us today! Fish are the most abundant of all living vertebrates and make up more than half of the approximately 48,500 species with us today! Fish are rare as fossils because the fragile nature of a fish body makes it a poor candidate for fossilization (except shark's teeth). Fish are rare as fossils because the fragile nature of a fish body makes it a poor candidate for fossilization (except shark's teeth).

How do you think fish have changed over time?

Modern Day Fish

Mastodons Mastodons were leaf eaters with multi- cusped teeth. Mastodons were leaf eaters with multi- cusped teeth. Mastodons became extinct approximately 11,000 years ago. Mastodons became extinct approximately 11,000 years ago. Mammoths were larger and had teeth adapted primarily for grazing (eating grasses). Mammoths were larger and had teeth adapted primarily for grazing (eating grasses).

Was the Mastodon the same as the Mammoth?

Modern Day Mastodons Mammoths were larger and had teeth adapted primarily for grazing (eating grass). Mammoths were larger and had teeth adapted primarily for grazing (eating grass). Closest modern day relative is the elephant. Closest modern day relative is the elephant.

Now - Compare the Old to the New

Compare the Old to the New