Fossil Ecosystems of North America A Guide to the Sites and Their Extraordinary Biotas

The fossil record affords a fascinating glimpse at past environments and the kinds of plants and animals that inhabited them. Some sites, for instance, contain nearly complete preserved records of ancient life. Fourteen of these remarkable fossil depositories are found in North America, including Mistaken Point in Newfoundland, Mazon Creek in Illinois, and Rancho La Brea in Los Angeles.

Fossil Ecosystems of North America describes these and eleven other sites that range across the continent.


John R. Nudds and Paul A. Selden introduce each site and place the fossil findings in geologic and evolutionary context. They go on to describe the history of research at each site—the sedimentology, stratigraphy, biota, paleoecology—and offer comparisons to other localities of similar age or environment. Fossil Ecosystems of North America also includes an appendix of museums at which readers can see specimens from the sites and suggestions for visiting the sites in person. In some cases, new specimens can still be collected from these sites by professionals and amateurs alike.


Accessible and informative, this guide to Fossil-Lagerstätten will appeal to expert scientists and adventuresome lay paleontologists alike.

John R. Nudds is senior lecturer in paleontology in the School of Earth, Atmospheric, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester.

Paul A. Selden is the Gulf-Hedberg Distinguished Professor of Invertebrate Paleontology and director of the Paleontological Institute at the University of Kansas.