The Shark Review

How the review works The aim of the review is to establish material that is of scientific merit and specimens which are good representatives, possessing public potential for display and community events. These two criteria do not necessarily go hand in hand; as a specimen may have a fantastic scientific research potential, but may not be visually impressive. Therefore the specimens are graded against two separate criteria: Scientific Merit (as a numerical value of stars) and Public Engagement (as a Gold, Silver or Bronze status).  For a more in depth look into the review criteria, click on the Review Criteria tab above.

 

Trays of Shark & Chimaera specimens

The shark collection consists of 6 trays containing 243 specimens from around the world and is almost entirely of Carboniferous, Cretaceous, Neogene and Quaternary specimens.

The bulk of the collection is stored in the archives at the Discovery Centre, with a few specimens on display at Leeds City Museum.

 

 

There is a strong representation of Cladodus, Otodus, Striatolamnia, Dwardius, Carcharocles and Ptychodus sharks; along with Psammodus, Copodus chimaera.

 

Dr Charles Underwood led the one day review, conducted as a systematic, tray by tray investigation, resulted in the discovery of some very good specimens. The results of this review will occur as an overview, with some of the highlights below.

 

The Silver specimens

Leedm.B.1979.06.0107.02

A very good Cretaceous shark tooth specimen of Paraisurus macrorhiza, (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.1979.06.0107.02) rare to find with root, from the Cambridge Greendsand formation. Has no locality.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0069.01-03

Three amazing Carboniferous shark teeth specimens of Cladodus sp (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.1979.06.0069.01-03) in a limestone matrix, from Richmond, Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.2010.44.1

A well preserved “tongue stone” Miocene shark tooth specimen of Carcharocles sp. (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.2010.44.1) with fine serrated edges and damaged root, from Malta.

 

Leedm.B.TN2230

An impressive Pliocene shark tooth specimen of Carcharocles megalodon (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.TN2230) with some minor damage, from South Carolina, USA.

 

Leedm.B.TN4373

Two Cretaceous Hybodontiform shark teeth specimens of Ptychodus decurrens (1 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN4373) from Kent, England.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0105.03

An uncommon Pliocene Great white shark tooth specimen, Carcharodon carcharias (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1979.06.0105.03) with strong serrations and no root. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0104

A well preserved Cretaceous Otodontid shark tooth specimen of Dwardius woodwardi (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1979.06.0104) with lateral cusps and root, from the Cambridge Greensand formation. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.2014.04

Two wonderful Cretaceous Hybodontiform shark teeth specimens of Ptychodus marginalis (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.2014.04) with beautifully preserved surface details. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0035

A striking Pleistocene Mackerel shark tooth specimen of Otodus obliquus (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1979.06.0035) slightly worn with lateral cusps and root, from the Red Crag formation. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0028.01

A very good Eocene Sand shark tooth specimen of Striatolamia macrota (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1979.06.0028.01) with lateral cusps and root. Has no locality data.

 

 

The Bronze specimens

Leedm.B.1979.06.0103

A good Cretaceous Sand tiger shark tooth specimen of Hispidaspis sp (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1979.06.0103) from Cambridge Greensand formation, with no root. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0068.01

Leedm.B.1979.06.0068.02

 

Two incredible and distinct Carboniferous chimaera teeth specimens of Pristodus falcatus (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1979.06.0068.01-02) in a limestone matrix, from Richmond, Yorkshire, England.

 

 

Leedm.B.1874.09.01

A nice Carboniferous shark tooth specimen of Cladodus sp (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1874.09.01) in a limestone matrix, from Richmond, Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0023.01

A very striking Neogene Weasel shark tooth specimen of Hemipristis serra (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1979.06.0023.01) with root, from South Carolina, USA.

 

Leedm.B.1979.06.0149.01-02

Two wonderful Cretaceous Hybodontiform shark teeth specimen of Asteracanthus ornatisimmus (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1979.06.0149.01-02) from Berkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.TN4808

A well preserved Tertiary Mackerel shark tooth specimen of Otodus auriculatas (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.TN4808) with serrated edges, a lateral cusp and slight root damage. From the USA.

 

Leedm.B.TN504

A very good Tertiary Crow shark tooth specimen of Squalicorax pristodontus (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.TN504) with fine serrated edges and slight root damage. From Maastricht, Netherlands.

 

1979.06.0028.02

A well preserved Cretaceous Mackerel shark tooth specimen of Cretodus semiplicatus (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1979.06.0028.02) with lateral cusps and root, from Cambridge Greensand formation. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN2311

A good Miocene shark tooth specimen of Physogaleus (0 Bronze star – Leedm.B.TN2311) with good preservation and root, from the USA.

 

Leedm.B.TN4584

A large and striking Pliocene specimen of Carcharocles megalodon (0 Bronze star – Leedm.B.TN4584) with slight damage. Has no locality data.

 

The review covered 243 specimens, establishing the following summary.

 

Gold = A truly amazing specimen; Silver = A very good specimen that has great potential; Bronze = A good specimen which can demonstrate a particular feature; Clear = A specimen that has limited visual qualities. 3 stars = High scientific importance; 2 stars = Moderate scientific importance; 1 star = Fair scientific importance; 0 stars = Supported by limited or no documentation.

 

 

Summary  

Charles referencing a specimen

The collection of shark (and other shark-like fishes- rays and chimaeras) material is relatively extensive and dominated by teeth. These are typically isolated with the notable exception of a partial associated dentition of the Cretaceous shark Ptychodus.

Scientific importance

Whilst there are a number of well preserved and potential useful specimens in the collection, it is evident that at some point a lot of the labelling of specimens has been lost or mixed. As a result, the scientific utility of the material is rather reduced. Despite this there are 3 main highlights of the collection which could be of use in future study.

There is a relatively large collection of teeth of the Cretaceous shark Ptychodus. This includes one partial dentition, and isolated teeth of a number of species. These all appear to originate from the Chalk of South-eastern England but usually without more data. These teeth are actually rare in the Chalk but were collected very intensively in the 19^th C. by quarry workers for sale and so there are a large number in collections, most with little or no data.

There are a reasonable number of teeth from the mid Cretaceous Cambridge Greensand. This is a unit no longer accessible and so material cannot be recollected. There are relatively few well preserved teeth, as is typical for this unit, but quite a number of genera are represented.

There are a small number of teeth from the Lower Carboniferous of the Richmond area. These are not that well preserved or prepared but indicate the potential for a significant site that could be re-collected if more data were to come to hand, especially as micro teeth are usually far more common than large ones, and so sampling for these has the potential to yield an important fauna.

In addition, there are very large numbers of teeth that appear to originate from the Red Crag basement bed, which is exposed in Essex and Suffolk. This bed is Pleistocene in age but contains fossils reworked from the Pliocene and Miocene (neither of which are currently exposed in the area) and from the underlying Eocene London Clay. The collection includes sharks and rays from the Pliocene/Miocene and sharks, rays and a chimaeroid from the London Clay. The preservation is typically poor and many of the teeth are very highly abraded. The number of specimens suggests intensive collecting in the past, but lack of provenance, and poor preservation, renders the utility of the material rather limited.

Outreach and other importance

As with many collections of fossil sharks, there are a significant number of teeth of Carcharocles megalodon, at least some from the United States eastern seaboard. These are of minimal scientific significance, as better preserved specimens are very well known, but are very useful for outreach. Teeth are very large and many have well preserved serrations.

The fossil sharks, along with all the other collections are open and free for anyone to view by appointment, just call Leeds Discovery Centre on 0113 378 2100 or email discovery.centre@leeds.gov.uk

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Charlie for a great day and identifying so many of the specimens during this wonderful review.

 

 

The Palaeobotany Review

How the review works

The aim of the review is to establish material that is of scientific merit and specimens which are good representatives, possessing public potential for display and community events. These two criteria do not necessarily go hand in hand; as a specimen may have a fantastic scientific research potential, but may not be visually impressive. Therefore the specimens are graded against two separate criteria: Scientific Merit (as a numerical value of stars) and Public Engagement (as a Gold, Silver or Bronze status).

For a more in depth look into the review criteria, click on the “Review Criteria” tab in the tool bar above.

 

The Palaeobotany review

The palaeobotany collection consists of 131 trays containing 1,384 specimens predominantly from the local region of West and North Yorkshire, with a few additional UK localities. The bulk of the collection is stored in the archives at the Discovery Centre, with some specimens on display at Leeds City Museum and dates back to the 1840’s; with a significant amount of material added to the collection during the 1970’s.

Stratigraphically, the collection predominantly consists of Carboniferous and Jurassic specimens, with notably absence of earlier and later material. The specimens in the collection are very strongly represented by spheonphytes , lycophytes and Ferns; with a moderate representation of other taxa; and a notable under representations of Ginkgos – for a detailed analysis, please read Karen’s summary at the end of this review.

Karen examining one of the many specimens.

 

As in previous reviews which covered this amount of material, the best method is a systematic, tray by tray investigation; with the occasional specimen undergoing a prolonged investigation.

Dr Karen Bacon led the review, which resulted in the discovery of some incredible specimens…

 

Listed below are some of the highlights across a broad range of the collections flora.

 

The Gold specimens

 

Leedm.B.1977.30.02.05

Two wonderful examples of the Jurassic Williamsonia (3 Gold stars – Leedm.B.1977.30.02.05) exhibiting the underside of the flower structure; and the beautiful Type specimen of Williamsonia himas (3 Gold stars – Leedm.B.1977.30.02.09) both are from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England and are part of the T.M. Harris collection.

Leedm.B.1977.30.02.09

 

Leedm.B.TN3541

A truly incredible specimen of a Carboniferous Neuropteris (1 Gold star – Leedm.B.TN3541) with wonderfully preserved and interesting leaf variations in a single fern. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.1977.30.02.E

A striking specimen of a Jurassic Equisetum (1 Gold star – Leedm.B.1977.30.02.E) with no compaction and fine detail preservation. Specimen is from Whitby, North Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.GC

A very good specimen of Carboniferous Lepidodendron and Neuropteris (0 Gold stars – Leedm.B.1977.3.GC) exhibiting numerous fine fern fronds and Lycopsid twigs. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.2008.02.007

A truly wonderful specimen of Mariopteris (0 Gold stars – Leedm.B.2008.02.007) with beautifully preserved leaf details. Specimen has no locality data and is currently on display at Leeds City Museum.

 

 

The Silver specimens

 

Leedm.B.2014.05.772

 A wonderful Jurassic specimen of Equisetales (2 Silver stars – Leedm.B.2014.05.772) with no locality data. Unusual to find leaves preserved with the stem, and fairly rare to find in collections.

 

Leedm.B.2014.05.796

A striking Carboniferous Calamites specimen (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.2014.05.796) exhibiting slight compression and mineralisation, with good detail preservation. Specimen is from Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.TN3979

A very good Jurassic Anamozamites specimen (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.TN3979) with nice leaf preservation. Specimen is from Scarborough, Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.TN3337

A wonderful Carboniferous specimen of Neuropteris (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN3337) fern frond tip with very good pinnae preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.2008.02.006

A truly incredible Carboniferous specimen of Mariopteris (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.2008.02.006) frond, with beautifully preserved details and veins. Specimen has no locality data and is currently on display at Leeds City Museum.

 

Leedm.XP.1979.3.LG

A very striking Ulodendron specimen (0 Silver stars – Leedm.XP.1979.3.LG) with nicely preserved distinct morphology. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN6566

A wonderful, large and very heavy specimen of a slightly compressed Lepidophloios trunk (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN6566) with good bark preservation and Lepidostrobus seed heads within the internal matrix. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN2477

A very good specimen of Calamostachys (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN2477) with fine detail preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN782

A wonderful Carboniferous Calamites tip specimen (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN782) with very good detail preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.XP.1979.3.LZ

A very good Carboniferous specimen of Mariopteris fern fronds (0 Silver stars – Leedm.XP.1979.3.LZ) with beautiful leaf preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

 

The Bronze specimens

 

Leedm.B.1977.30.02.30

A good Jurassic specimen of Cladophelbis and an unidentified fern (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1977.03.02.30) exhibiting fair preservation. Specimen is from Whitby, North Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.2014.05.793

A good Jurassic Pagiophyllum specimen (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.2014.05.793) from Gristhorpe Bay, North Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.1977.30.02.26

A good Jurassic Taenopteris specimen (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1977.30.02.26) with nice leaf preservation. Specimen is from Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.XP.1979.3.JQ

A very good Carboniferous Sigillaria specimen (1 Bronze star – Leedm.XP.1979.3.JQ) with good coalified detail preservation. Specimen is from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.2004.01.0027.1-2

Two interesting Eocene Fan palm specimens (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.2004.01.0027.1-2) from Bournemouth, Dorset, England.

 

Leedm.B.2014.05.675

A good example of a Ptilophyllum specimen (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.2014.05.675) with fair leaf preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN3197

A very good Carboniferous specimen of the rare variety Lepidodendron ophiurus (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.TN3197) with unusual details and ridges preserved on the bark. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN3334

A wonderful Stigmaria specimen (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.TN3334) with slight compression and good detail preservation. Specimen is from Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.1977.30.02.52

A good example specimen of Caniopteris (1 Bronze star – Leedm.B.1977.30.02.52) with nice detail preservation. Specimen is from Whitby, North Yorkshire, England.

 

Leedm.B.XP.1979..3.AN

A very uncommon specimen made up of numerous layers of compressed Calamites (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.AN) exhibiting fair preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.GQ

A interesting nodule containing a Neuropteris fern specimen (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.GQ) with good leaf preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN825

A very good specimen exhibiting Sphenopteris and Cylopteris ferns (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.TN825) with nice detail preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.DG

A good example of a Carboniferous Eupecopteris specimen (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.DG) with very nice frond detail preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.EH

A nodule containing a Lepidostrobus seed head specimen (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.XP.1979.3.EH) with fine detail preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.XP1979.3.GE

A very good Mariopteris fern specimen (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.XP.1979.3.GE) with nice frond preservation. Has no locality data.

 

Leedm.B.TN5041

A lovely specimen of an Alethopteris fern frond (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.TN5041) with nice leaf preservation. Specimen has no locality data.

 

The review covered 1,384 specimens, establishing the following summary.

Gold = A truly amazing specimen; Silver = A very good specimen that has great potential; Bronze = A good specimen which can demonstrate a particular feature; Clear = A specimen that has limited visual qualities.

3 stars = High scientific importance; 2 stars = Moderate scientific importance; 1 star = Fair scientific importance; 0 stars = Supported by limited or no documentation.

 

 

Karen’s summary of the palaeobotany collection.

The palaeobotany collection held by Leeds City Museum contains many interesting and well-preserved specimens. The collection is mostly composed of UK (Yorkshire) Carboniferous plant material. The UK Carboniferous is a particular strength of the museum collection and contains specimens of high-quality preservation and of high research value. It is unfortunate that not all samples have specific collection location information, but this is reflective of the long time period covered by sample collection, with many specimens having been collected well over 100–150 years ago.

The museum also holds some excellent UK Jurassic specimens. Most notable are several beautifully preserved Williomsonia samples, a relatively rare Bennettitalian “flower”-type structure. Most impressively, the type specimen identified by Harris is contained within the collection. In my opinion, this would be a nice item to have on display as the fossil itself is scientifically important, beautifully preserved and Harris was one of the most preeminent palaeobotanists of his time (his 1920s/1930s and later work on Jurassic floras is still regularly cited).

Many of the Carboniferous samples are also extremely worthy of display, in particular some samples of Ulodendron, Sphenophyllum, Annularia, Neuropteris and Lepidostrobus are particularly nice for display.

The collection also holds a few samples of Eocene material and some Quaternary (Pleistocene) wood samples that are well-preserved and some nice polished samples of older wood samples.

 

Strengths: Carboniferous and Jurassic material.

The collection overall is impressive, particularly the extent of its Carboniferous flora. Several interesting samples were found that are easily worthy of display across a range of key taxa, including lycophytes (especially Lepidodendron, Lepidophloios, Lepidostrobus (spore-bearing cones; here too more detailed identification could be useful) and Ulodendron (some very nice samples)), spheonphytes (including Equisetum, Calamites, Annularia, Asterophyllites and Sphenophyllum) and ferns (including Neuropteris and Mariopteris and others but identification needs to be clarified). This covers most of the key taxa of the UK Carboniferous and makes a valuable collection with high research potential.

The Jurassic material also contains numerous very nice fossils of key taxa including Ginkgo, Anomozamites, Pterophyllum, Ptilophyllum, Zamites, Cycadolepsis and Williamsonia (particularly impressive samples). Each of these taxa are represented by some beautiful fossils worthy of display and all having excellent research potential.

 

Weaknesses: Fern identification and limited time period.

Researching a specimens identification.

One area of concern is the identification of the substantial and impressive fern collection. The museum holds some lovely Carboniferous fern examples but the identification needs to be fully reviewed for all samples as I suspect that many are mis-identified or (more probably) are using older, less well-defined names.

 

 

 

 

While the Carboniferous and Jurassic collections are impressive and contains some truly excellent examples of these floras, there is little or no representation of fossil plants from outside of these two time periods. There are a few pieces of Eocene angiosperms and some Pleistocene wood, but other times periods are entirely absent from the collection. Whether this should be considered a problem depends largely on the aims of the museum (I feel that this is not a problem) – if the aim is to specialise in the two periods that are well-represented locally (Yorkshire) then this is a good strategy and is highly relevant to the local geology. However, if the museum wishes to hold a palaeobotany collection representative of UK palaeobotany though time, then some key periods to target include Devonian (Scotland) and Palaeocene/Eocene (South of England – Bournemouth/Southampton areas and London Clay). Some more recent samples might be nice for display purposes but I think that the focus on the Carboniferous and Jurassic is valuable as the collection is of high quality both scientifically and in terms of potential display items.
Note on the currently displayed items

The collection at the Discovery Centre holds a far greater variety and display worthy samples of plant taxa than is currently represented on display. The museum has sufficiently numerous and high-quality samples to develop a beautiful Carboniferous display in particular, and also to develop a high-quality Jurassic display (particularly in relation to Bennettitales).

 

To close

A lovely collection of Carboniferous and Jurassic plant material with excellent display and scientific potential.

 

 

 

 

The palaeobotany, along with all the other collections are open and free for anyone to view by appointment, just call Leeds Discovery Centre on 0113 3782100 or email discovery.centre@leeds.gov.uk

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Karen for this wonderful review. The amount of material covered was incredible, spurred on by the odd gem of a specimen. “Thank you” for all your hard work.

 

Marine reptiles & Dinosaurs Review

 

How the review works

The aim of the review is to establish material that is of scientific merit and specimens which are good representatives, possessing public potential for display and community events. These two criteria do not necessarily go hand in hand; as a specimen may have a fantastic scientific research potential, but may not be visually impressive. Therefore the specimens are graded against two separate criteria: Scientific Merit (as a numerical value of stars) and Public Engagement (as a Gold, Silver or Bronze status).

For a more in depth look into the review criteria, click on the “Review Criteria” tab in the tool bar above.

 

The Vertebrate palaeontology:

Marine reptiles & Dinosaurs Review

 

The marine reptile & dinosaur collection consists of 26 trays containing 245 specimens and as in previous reviews, it was decided that the amount of material would suit the review being conducted as a detailed, systematic, tray by tray investigation; finishing with the large scale specimens.

 

The collection contains a variety of marine reptile material featuring: numerous Ichthyosaur skulls, jaws, isolated teeth and vertebrae; with some superb and historic full skeletons. Plesiosaur material consists of a few isolated teeth, a historic headless full skeleton and some limb girdles. Pliosaur material is scarce, consisting of a few isolated teeth. Crocodiles are represented as a disarticulated steneosaurus skull and fossilised eggs; and finally a rare Nothosaur solitary rib fragment.

The dinosaur material is more abundant, but less diverse, featuring: a Hadrosaur forelimb bone, Hylaeosaurus vertebrae, and a Hypselosaurus egg, along with numerous Hypselospinus fossil bones (approx 10% complete skeleton).

 

Day One.

Will Watts led the review, starting with the entire collection of Iguanodont fossils, identified as Hypselospinus fittoni. These have been accessioned individually and it was agreed that if it were reconstructed, the specimen would score 3 Gold stars. For the purpose of this review, each individual fossil bone would be systematically reviewed on its own merit.

Leedm.B.1866.01.073.01 & 066

The majority of the collection was discovered in Sussex, UK during the early 1860’s by Edwin Austin and was donated to Leeds Museum in 1866; and is a rare and historic specimen with scientific value.

 

 

Two interesting Hypselospinus fittoni ribs sections (3 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.73.01) and  (3 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.66) combining to make a superb distal section of rib.

 

Leedm.B.1866.01.035

The distal end of a radius, from a juvenile Hypselospinus fittoni (3 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.35) featuring a convincing tooth shaped indentation, with the impacted bone surface fossilised within the cavity. Further research would be needed, but could be very nice evidence for predation or scavenging.

 

Leedm.B.1866.01.040

A striking Hylaeosaurus sp. vertebra (3 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.40) exhibiting distinct rib attachments and neural canal.

 

Leedm.B.1866.01.092

A wonderful Hypselospinus fittoni ungual phalanx or claw, from the left foot, IV digit (3 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.92)

 

Leedm.B.1866.01.041.1-3

A larger Hypselospinus fittoni dorsal vertebra (3 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.41.1-3) made up by three specimens, with matrix in the neural canal.

 

Leedm.B.1866.01.068

A small Hypselospinus fittoni caudal or tail vertebra (3 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.68). This specimen is very close to the tip of the tail, but sadly the tip is absent in the collection.

 

Leedm.B.1980.01

A fragile but wonderful Hypselosaurus priscus (3 Gold stars – Leedm.B.1980.01) a Sauropod egg from Bouches-du-Rhône, France; currently on display at Leeds City Museum.

 

Leedm.B.1866.01.099.01-02

The middle section of a Hypselospinus fittoni femur (2 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.99.01) and (2 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1866.01.99.02) from Sussex, England. Two poorly preserved specimens combining to make a robust femur, lacking both distal and proximal ends (photo taken during the review).

The moment before discovering it’s true identity

 

This was a truly unexpected find that made both Will and I gasp. Both specimens have a highly eroded surface that had complicated the original misidentification. It was only when the two specimens were joined that the specimen revealed its secret and true inner beauty.

 

 

 

Leedm.B.1985.05.04

An unidentified Crocodile egg (1 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.1985.05.04) from Bas-Rhin, France; in a limestone and pisolite matrix.

 

Leedm.B.TN3406

A very nice Pliosaur tooth (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.TN3406) from Dorset, England. A rare specimen in the collection.

 

Leedm.B.1955.61.BBN

A rare Triassic Nothosaur rib (1 Clear stars – Leedm.B.1955.61.BBN) on a limestone matrix from Bavaria, Germany.

 

 

Day Two – Reconstructing a Dinosaur.

The decision was taken before the review to reconstruct the Iguanodont fossils for two reasons:

1. To assess the amount material; as 11 trays of isolated fossils give little indication of how much skeletal material there is in the collection.
2. The material had not been reconstructed for decades, with no records of any full reconstruction within the last century.

… and lets admit it – Because it’s awesome!

The material had been reviewed on day 1, so we had a general idea of  what the final reconstruction would look like. But in reality, the final assemblage proved somewhat different…

Trays of Iguanodont vertebrae & limb bone

Trays of Iguanodont ribs, limb bones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The morning commenced with laying the trays out to help with specimen retrieval. The reconstruction started with the tip or near tip of the tail, with the individual specimens being laid out on Plastazote foam. In a short space of time the first sheet of Plastazote was quickly filled as the tail grew in length, with alterations occurring along the way.

The first vertebra

Will & Glenn working on the tail vertebrae

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tail sequence taking shape

 

 

Glenn and Will progressed with the tail, which began to take shape;  sorting the dorsal and caudal vertebra, and neural arches to establish a rough sequence.

Glenn continued with the vertebrae with some fine tuning of the caudal sequence until finally content, then turned his attention to the tray of ribs. with daunting task of reuniting individual fragments into longer lengths of rib specimens.

 

 

Progressing with the foot, while the tail gets revised

Will and I began working on the foot, piecing together the phalanx material, which began to take shape at a gathering pace. One important discovery was the realisation that some misidentified limb bones were in fact metatarsals, extending the foot material and giving a greater impact.

Limb bones come under review

Whilst Glenn worked on the ribs and I worked on the foot, Will turned his attention to identifying and sorting out the numerous generic limb bones with reuniting specimens to produce longer lengths of limb bones, and some wonderful discoveries: a femur distal extremity, a small fragment of ilium, both proximal and distal extremities of tibia and fibula.

The sequenced tail, as Will reunites some metatarsals

With time drawing to a close, Glenn makes final alterations to the tail, as the material takes shape

 

 

A wonderful outcome of this event was achieved by all three of us in reuniting numerous parts and counter-parts of specimens that until now had no records of being the same fossil bone, and identifying some material that had been misidentified.

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, with only one day to undertake this reconstruction, time was beginning to slip away. The decision was taken to assemble the individual elements that we had achieved as an overview of the dinosaur. This event would have prospered from another day or two to insert more fossil material, but it had achieved the main goals in assessing the amount of fossil material  in the collection, as a broad reconstruction.

The final assemblage, with unresolved material directly above the book.

 

 

A little more investigation into the material is required, but an additional outcome of this event was to investigate the possibility for a future public event. As a result, a reconstruction and interpretation is planned to go on temporary display at Leeds City Museum in 2016.

 

 

 

 

At the time of the review the material was simply classified as Iguanodon, and was believed to be of the same individual animal. Since then, a further investigation has established the specimens identities, and further more – the collection is made up of four individuals; three adults and one juvenile, with the vast majority of the material belonging to one adult Hypselospinus fittoni.

 

Will inspecting the first tray on day three

 

 

 

 

 

Day Three.

 

The review resumed with some amazing and somewhat surprising discoveries, notably a superb Ichthyosaur (3 Gold stars – Leedm.B.1849.9) a splayed full skeleton, exhibiting extreme distortion of the skull with rigor mortis curvature of the spine (below) from Somerset, England. A framed and historically mounted valuable specimen.

Leedm.B.1849.9

Leedm.B.1846.6

A large scale framed Plesiosaur cast (1 Gold star – Leedm.B.1846.6) of Thomas Hawkins replica, with historic importance.

 

Leedm.B.1980.03.01 & 02

Two display worthy coprolites (1 Silver star – Leedm.B.1980.03.01) as a smaller solid mass, and (1 Gold star – Leedm.B.1980.03.02) as the larger cut and polished specimen, exhibiting an interior nucleus. Both from Utah, USA.

 

Leedm.B.TN5830

A well preserved Pliosaur tooth (1 Gold star – Leedm.B.TN5830) on a limestone matrix with echinoid spine; from Dorset, England.

 

Leedm.B.TN1671

A striking unidentified footprint (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN1671) from an unknown location.

 

Leedm.B.TN5126

An unusual and quite rare Ichthyosaur vertebrae (0 Silver stars – Leedm.B.TN5126) cut and polished cross-section of articulated vertebrae, from an unknown location; possibly Yorkshire Lias, England.

 

Leedm.B.TN1825

A wonderful Ichthyosaur rib (0 Bronze stars – Leedm.B.TN1825) in relief on a mudstone matrix, with no data and low scientific value.

 

Leedm.B.1847.16

A beautiful Ichthyosaur skull (2 Silver stars – Leedm.B.1847.16) from Somerset, England. A framed and mounted historic specimen.

 

Will reviewing the cast of Archaeopteryx

Three specimens worthy of a mention but not photographed here are:

A wonderful cast of Archaeopteryx (0 Gold stars – Leedm.B.2011.110).

An exquisite full skeleton of a small or juvenile Ichthyosaur, possibly Stenopterygius (1 Gold stars – Leedm.B.TN5273).

Two vertebrae from the Carboniferous amphibian, Pholiderpeton (2 Clear stars – Leedm.B.TN1170).

 

 

The review covered 245 specimens establishing the following summary.

Gold = A truly amazing specimen; Silver = A very good specimen that has great potential; Bronze = A good specimen which can demonstrate a particular feature; Clear = A specimen that has limited visual qualities.

3 stars = High scientific importance; 2 stars = Moderate scientific importance; 1 star = Fair scientific importance; 0 stars = Supported by limited or no documentation.

 

Summary of the Marine reptiles & Dinosaurs Review.

 

Strengths

The historical nature of the collection, dating back to the 19th Century, make some of the specimens important not just for their scientific value but also for their own history and relationships with early geologists and collectors.  There are some important specimens in their own right too, including the Iguanodonts, the marine vertebrates.

The collection of Jurassic material is strongly represented by some Whitby & Yorkshire Coast material, but is predominantly made up of specimens from the Dorset Coast; consisting of a number Ichthyosaur, Plesiosaur and Pliosaur teeth and skeletal material, with four historic and rare – large scale specimens from significant UK sites.

Additionally, there are some unusual and interesting specimens: A Steneosaurus rostrum and partial skull material, a Hypselosaurus egg from France, large scale ripple beds with Chirotherium footprints, coprolites and Iguanodon skeletal material – that requires further investigation.

Historic casts of Archaeopteryx and the Thomas Hawkins Plesiosaur.

Weaknesses

There are many unusual and/or interesting specimens that lack locality information. Sadly the loss of data on some prime specimens diminishes any research value, with minor pyrite decay.

A lack of Pliosaur material and little or limited ichnofossil footprints.

The Triassic and Cretaceous are both poorly represented, and apart from a few specimens from France and the USA, the entire collection is made up of UK material.

The fact the collection has not be actively added to for a number of years means that it is very much a historical collection with the problems that brings around conservation and also in terms of the patchy nature of how the material has been prepared and in some cases mounted. Compared to other regional museums (Yorkshire Museum and Manchester Museum for example) the collection is very small.

 

The Marine reptiles and Dinosaur specimens, along with all the other collections are open and free for anyone to view by appointment, just call Leeds Discovery Centre on 0113 378 2100 or email discovery.centre@leeds.gov.uk

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Will for a wonderful and exciting review over the three amazing days; it was a delight to reconstruct the dinosaur. I would also like to thank Glenn Roadley for all his help and contributions during the reconstruction on day two; and Dr. David Norman for his post review identifications and assistance.

The Rock Type Collection

The rock type or petrology collection consists of 190 trays of 4,500 specimens featuring Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary rocks from the UK, around the world and beyond….

 

A large slab of Wenlock limestone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bulk of the collection is sedimentary, represented by numerous sandstone, limestone and mudstone specimens, also containing some stunning examples of siltstone, dolostone, marl and chalk.

 

We also have a strong representation of igneous petrology predominantly consisting of basalt, gabbro, diortie and granite specimens; with additional examples of peridoite, picrite, syenite and trachyte, and stunning specimens of pegmatite.

There are also some wonderful examples of andesite and rhyloite with amazing obsidian glass, pitchstone and snowflake obsidian specimens. Not to mention volcanic pumice and beautiful banded tuff.

 

A great example of a metamorphic schist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The metamorphic petrology features some wonderful slate, schist, amphibolite and gniess specimens; with some truly spectacular phllite, quartzite and marble.

A wonderful specimen of puckered slate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The collection also contains some weird and wonderful geological features, notably the incredible cone-in-cone formation, septarian nodules and preserved ripple beds.

A specimen of cone-in-cone geological feature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the material really is “out of this world” with a few examples of meteorites and the products of a meteor impact tektites. The strangest of all, is a small unassuming specimen of fused sand, the preserved moment in time of a lightning strike.

The Fossil Collection

The fossils make up the majority of the collection and also date back to the founding of Leeds Museum in the 1820’s, encompassing the collections of numerous individuals, notably: Cyril P. Castell, Etheldred Bennett, J.V. Stevens and the recently acquired Leeds collector Earnest E. Gregory.

The result is a vast collection of over 530 trays with approximately 16,000 specimens, covering a vast range of fauna and flora from the local region, the UK, and many sites from around the world.

Mariopteris muricata, one of the many wonderful fossil plant specimens.

 

We have a substantial fossil plant collection of 3,500 specimens from the Carboniferous and Jurassic, which have been extensively studied  and cited.

 

 

 

 

A modest collection of over 1,700 Ammonites and Belemnites, 1,200 Brachiopods, and over 2,000 Bivalves from the local region and further afield. Some impressive wonders of the archives are full skeletons of marine reptiles and Iguanodon bones collected by Edwin Austin.

 

Two large dinosaur coprolites from Utah, USA.

 

A dinosaur egg, dinosaur dung from Utah, and large slabs of ripple beds with the preserved archosaur footprints.

 

 

 

Plus a large collection of fossil fish, sharks teeth and vertebrae, including a three dimensionally preserved Coelacanth, Megalichthys and teeth from the ferocious Megalodon shark.

 

The collection also contains material from numerous cave deposits, notably: Kents Cavern, Raygill Fissure, Windy Knoll, Dawker Bottom, Victoria Cave and Wookey Hole.  Featuring numerous mammal skeletal material including a type specimen skull of the extinct Ursus arctos cave bear .

Skull of the extinct Ursus arctos.

 

This wealth of fossil material will soon undergo intense scrutiny when the Geoblitz reviews commence in a few weeks time.

The Mineral Collection

The mineral collection dates back to the 1820’s with specimens being donated by the members of the Museums founding Philosophical and Literature Society, as well as generous donations by individuals and collectors associated with the Society. The collection encompasses the notable: Sir Alexander Crichton mineral collection and the Ullyett & Wright collections to name a few.

 

The result is a substantial collection of 230 trays with approximately 6,600 specimens, too many to list individual specimens or sub-groups; but as an overview, there is a good representation of the following main groups:

Native metals and non-metals, Sulphides, Oxides, Hydroxides, Fluorides, Halides, Carbonates, Nitrates, Borates, Sulphates, Chromates, Phosphates, Silicates and Ore forming minerals.

Quartz Chalcedony

 

 

 

A wonderful example of Quartz Chalcedony and deatiled below.

 

 

Chalcedony detail

Within the collection there are some striking and unsusual specimens that reflect the local region and beyond; with numerous Tektites, Meteorites and a replica of the “Hope diamond“.

Large sheet of Biotite

The collection will be fully investigated as part of the “Geoblitz” project in the near future and hopefully some undiscovered star specimens will emerge.