Tuesday, January 31, 2006
An Emory & Henry biology professor has made some big discoveries of little things.
Paleontology digs in Hidalgo, Mexico by Emory & Henry's Dr. Chris Fielitz and his colleague, Dr. Katia Gonzales Rodgriguez, revealed a site that is, according to Fielitz, one of the richest in North America for fossilized fish.
The site, a quarry in the northwest of Hidalgo, has yielded numerous fossils from the Cretaceous period. Many of the fish are newly discovered species, and others are species never before discovered in North America. According to Fielitz, the most exciting finds are larval and juvenile fish.
"Finding juveniles is rare," said Fielitz. "So far, this is the only spot with juvenile fossils in Mexico."
After discovering the juvenile and larval fossils, Fielitz and Gonzales Rodriguez examined fossils recovered in previous years to see if they had overlooked other larval fossils. According to Fielitz, nearly every cataloged sample contained larval fossils.
"As far as I know there's no other place in North America where you find this many larval fish," said Fielitz.
Not only were the tiny juvenile fossils abundant in the area, they were also well preserved. "Some of the heads were six millimeters, and the detail was so good that we could identify the species," Fielitz said.
For every adult fossil found in the area, Fielitz and Gonzales Rodriguez were able to find corresponding larval and juvenile fossils.
Fielitz has traveled to Mexico for the past five summers to work with Gonzales Rodriguez on the project. The two first met at a conference in Mexico City where Gonzales Rodriguez presented a paper on the fossils she had found at the site. She had little experience with the species of fish she had unearthed and extended an open invitation to conference attendees to join her in the research effort.
"I had expertise with that species, and no one else expressed an interest, which has really worked out great for me," Fielitz said.
The experiences Fielitz had in Mexico are ones he hopes to share with Emory & Henry students this summer. "If I can get funding, I would love to take two students with me this summer," said Fielitz.
After five years of work, Fielitz still speaks enthusiastically about the project. "It's very rewarding for me to do this," Fielitz said. "I think it is going to become an important and recognized location for fossil fish."
An Emory & Henry biology professor has made some big discoveries of little things.
Paleontology digs in Hidalgo, Mexico by Emory & Henry's Dr. Chris Fielitz and his colleague, Dr. Katia Gonzales Rodgriguez, revealed a site that is, according to Fielitz, one of the richest in North America for fossilized fish.
The site, a quarry in the northwest of Hidalgo, has yielded numerous fossils from the Cretaceous period. Many of the fish are newly discovered species, and others are species never before discovered in North America. According to Fielitz, the most exciting finds are larval and juvenile fish.
"Finding juveniles is rare," said Fielitz. "So far, this is the only spot with juvenile fossils in Mexico."
After discovering the juvenile and larval fossils, Fielitz and Gonzales Rodriguez examined fossils recovered in previous years to see if they had overlooked other larval fossils. According to Fielitz, nearly every cataloged sample contained larval fossils.
"As far as I know there's no other place in North America where you find this many larval fish," said Fielitz.
Not only were the tiny juvenile fossils abundant in the area, they were also well preserved. "Some of the heads were six millimeters, and the detail was so good that we could identify the species," Fielitz said.
For every adult fossil found in the area, Fielitz and Gonzales Rodriguez were able to find corresponding larval and juvenile fossils.
Fielitz has traveled to Mexico for the past five summers to work with Gonzales Rodriguez on the project. The two first met at a conference in Mexico City where Gonzales Rodriguez presented a paper on the fossils she had found at the site. She had little experience with the species of fish she had unearthed and extended an open invitation to conference attendees to join her in the research effort.
"I had expertise with that species, and no one else expressed an interest, which has really worked out great for me," Fielitz said.
The experiences Fielitz had in Mexico are ones he hopes to share with Emory & Henry students this summer. "If I can get funding, I would love to take two students with me this summer," said Fielitz.
After five years of work, Fielitz still speaks enthusiastically about the project. "It's very rewarding for me to do this," Fielitz said. "I think it is going to become an important and recognized location for fossil fish."
