2.8" Polished Cut Slab Of Fossil Turritella Shells Eocene Age Wyoming Gastropod Shells
Location: Wyoming, United States
Weight: 1.1 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.8 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 0.3 Inches Thick
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Fossil Turritella shells in Wyoming are most commonly found within the Eocene Green River Formation, particularly in the Wilkins Peak Member, where distinct layers known as the Turritella beds occur. These gastropods belong to the genus Turritella and are recognized by their tall, conical, high-spired shells made up of numerous tightly coiled whorls.
The dense accumulation of these shells within specific strata indicates periods of shallow marine or brackish-water conditions. These environments were well-suited to large populations of these filter-feeding snails.
The presence of Turritella fossils in Wyoming provides significant insights into the paleogeography and paleoecology of the region during the Eocene epoch. The Green River Formation itself is renowned for its exceptional preservation of fossils, including fish, insects, and plants, due to the anoxic conditions of the ancient lakes that formed there. The Turritella beds represent a specific facies within this lacustrine system, suggesting periods of marine incursions or brackish water conditions within what was predominantly a freshwater lake environment. The study of these fossil shells, including their morphology and distribution, helps paleontologists reconstruct the ancient ecosystems and understand the environmental changes that occurred in Wyoming millions of years ago.
