Transcript File - Kent Hups, Northglenn High School Geology Class

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH STEM PARTNERSHIPS
Christopher Barrera Northglenn High School 601 W.
th
100
Ave. Northglenn, CO
Reconstructing the paleoenvironments of the Cretaceous Morondava Basin, western Madagascar
[email protected]
Abstract: Little is known of the marine paleoenvironment of
the Cretaceous period of the Morondava Basin. Many fossils
that were discovered by the Denver Museum of Nature &
Science in previous years were unable to be included in this
research due to issues with local governments refusing to
release them to be shipped overseas . Not having a complete
fossil assemblage has made it very difficult to establish any
strong conclusions and thus made it problematic in the
identification of ancient environments that existed at that
location.
Fig 1.7 Map of Western coast of Madagascar including Morondava Basin.
Introduction:
A collection of non-dinosaurian vertebrates from the
Morondava Basin of western Madagascar was collected
by teams from the University of Antananarivo,
Madagascar and the Denver Museum of Nature &
Science. These fossils include the remains of fish, rays,
and sharks, specifically the fossil teeth of Ptychodus and
Squalicorax .
Methods:
Fossil vertebrates from the
Morondava Basin, Madagascar
were identified by the following
methodology:
Morphology
• Size
• Shape
• Serrations
Taxonomy
• Species
• Sub Species
• Diet
Ecology
• Habitat
Conclusions:
Although there are not enough marine fossils to establish a strong conclusion,
the current evidence suggests that Morondava basin was once rich and
abundant with marine life. This reconstruction of the basin illustrates the
diversity of the ancient marine life that once lived there. The large assemblage
of shark and ray teeth suggests that there were enough fish and coral reefs to
support a large oceanic community during the Cretaceous time period.
Researchers and conservationists can use this information to develop possible
protocols to protect and conserve life in our oceans and seas. As more fossil
evidence is collected from Morondava basin, it will increase the knowledge of
the paleoecology, and a greater understanding of the paleoenvironment.
Comparative Ecology
The new fossil material consists of Shark and Ray teeth that have also been
found in areas in North America such as: Texas, and Kansas. This is a great find
because it enables the comparison between the ecology in each area. The
Squalicorax (Fig 1, Fig 1.4) and Ptychodus (Fig 1.5, Fig 1.6) species have also
been found in New Mexico’s Bainbridge River and northeast of Galisteo, Santa
Fe county. It is also worthy to note that the fossils found in North America also
date back to the Cretaceous time period. This finding can help understand the
migration of these species and tell a lot about the preferred habitat in which
they live.
Fig 2 Reconstruction of the paleoenvironment.
Fig 1.8 Attempting to identify
the species by analyzing
pieces of vertebrate.
Fig 1.2
Tooth of Squalicorax
Curvatus
Fig 1.4 Recording fossil
evidence after identification.
Fig 1
Cataloging the Sub Species.
Fig 1.3
Attempting to
categorize sub
species by the
identification of
serrations, size,
and shape.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank the founders and donors of the Teen Science
Scholars program. I’d also like to thank my Geology teacher Kent
Hups for teaching me, guiding me and always helping me overcome
my challenges, my parents for their love and support, Joe Sertich
who has been a marvelous mentor, Adrian Paz for helping me draw
the reconstruction and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science
for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity.
References:
Fig 1.9
Unknown Species of fish Vertebrae.
Fig 1.6 Identifying
Ptychodus Marginalis.
Fig 1.5 Identification
process for Ptychodus
Decurrens.
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