PALEONTOLOGY LABORATORY EXERCISE USING MAZON CREEK PLANT FOSSILS

Mazon Creek is an internationally-known locale in Illinois where many fossils exhibiting exceptional preservation have been collected. These fossil beds are a product of the vast coal swamps that dominated the Pennsylvanian Period (323-298 Ma). This laboratory exercise focuses on Mazon Creek plant fossils, with specific attention given to identification, preservation, and paleoecology. The exercise is designed around some of the most common plant fossil genera from Mazon Creek (Annularia, Calamites, Lepidodendron, Neurpteris, Pecopteris, Cyclopteris, etc.). The exercise requires students to apply close observation skills and to think critically about the greater context of the fossil assemblage. The exercise is composed of short, self-contained sections so that it can be easily modified to suit instructor interest and specimen availability.

Key words: Mazon Creek, plant fossils, Pennsylvanian, paleontology, laboratory exercise