Ancient Wentletraps

 This is the Wentletrap Opalia varicostata, Stearns, in the gastropod family Epitoniidae. The word "Wentletrap" is borrowed from the Dutch "a winding staircase" so these are called staircase or ladder snails and this one shown here is an extinct Pliocene to Pleistocene species (less than 2 million years to about 5.3 million years). This is a gorgeous little snail and was not known from the Purisima Formation until recently!! Today, Wentletraps hang out around sea anemones, from whom they get their nourishment! #fossilprep, #Purisima, #fossilsnails, #gastropods, #beachfossils, #timelapse, #paleontology, #paleontologist, #pacificpaleontology, @pacificpaleontology, 

Once thought to be in the genus Pandora...

Once thought to be in the genus Pandora, after further discoveries and systematic analysis of its internal and external anatomy, this clam is now known to be a new species in the genus Frenamya, Pandoridae, Purisima Formation, northern Monterey Bay, 3-5 million years. Pacific Paleontology,

#pacificpaleontology, #paleomitigation, #paleoprep, #paleo, #mitigationpaleontology, #fossil, #paleontologist, #paleontology, 

Microfossil sampling benthic foraminiferans...

Microfossil sampling benthic foraminiferans from the mudstone accumulated inside this 4-5 million year old Tresus pajaroanus clam. Benthic Foraminiferans are microscopic Protists that live on or in the the bottom sediments and are usually marine. Typically Forams are not well-preserved in sandstone here in the Purisima Formation. However, the fine mud and silt sediments that accumulated inside fossil clams such as this one often have a higher percentage of Forams preserved in them. Eastern Pacific Pliocene foraminifera are not well-studied and hopefully this project will add to our understanding of local environmental conditions and allow us to place the Purisima formation here within the larger biochronological framework.