The Paw Paw Formation is a geological formation in Texas whose strata date back to the late Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.

Paw Paw Formation
Stratigraphic range: Late Albian
~105–100 Ma
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofComanche & Washita Groups
Lithology
PrimaryMudstone
Location
Coordinates32°54′N 97°18′W / 32.9°N 97.3°W / 32.9; -97.3
Approximate paleocoordinates30°12′N 59°48′W / 30.2°N 59.8°W / 30.2; -59.8
Region Texas
Country United States
Paw Paw Formation is located in the United States
Paw Paw Formation
Paw Paw Formation (the United States)
Paw Paw Formation is located in Texas
Paw Paw Formation
Paw Paw Formation (Texas)

Fossil content

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Reptiles

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Dinosaurs

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Dinosaurs reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Nodosauridae indet.[1][2] Indeterminate Tarrant County, Texas Humerus, ilia, scapulocoracoid and specimen representing a baby Nodosaurid remains that cannot be compared with Pawpawsaurus due to lack of overlapping elements. Informally referred to as the "Paw Paw Scuteling".[3]
Pawpawsaurus[1] P. campbelli Tarrant County, Texas Complete skull A nodosaurid
Texasetes[4] T. pleurohalio Blue Mound Partial skeleton A nodosaurid

Pterosaurs

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Pterosaurs reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Coloborhynchus[5] C. wadleighi SMU locality 263 Jaw elements Species moved to the genus Uktenadactylus
Tapejarinae indet.[6] Indeterminate SMU locality 263 Incomplete right metatarsal Tapejarid bone with signs of scavenging by fish and sharks
Uktenadactylus[5][7] U. wadleighi SMU locality 263 Jaw elements An anhanguerid

Turtles

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Turtles reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Testudines indet.[2] Indeterminate SMU locality 241 Remains of a turtle

Fish

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Bony fish

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Bony fish reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Allocyclostoma[8] A. alienus Juniper Point locality 3 otoliths A beardfish
Apateodus[8] A. sp. Juniper Point locality 6 otoliths An aulopiform
Argentina?[8] A. texana Juniper Point locality 49 otoliths An argentine
Elopothrissus[8] E. pawpawensis Juniper Point locality 139 otoliths A bonefish
Genartina[8] G. princeps Juniper Point locality 486 otoliths A fish of uncertain classification
Ichthyodectiformes indet.[2] Indeterminate SMU locality 241 Represents either Saurodon sp. or Saurocephalus sp.
Ichthyotringa[8] I.? cuneata Juniper Point locality 12 otoliths An aulopiform
I. sp. Juniper Point locality An otolith An aulopiform
Paraulopus[8] P.? wichitae Juniper Point locality 6 otoliths An aulopiform
Pteralbula[8] P. galtina Juniper Point locality 7 otoliths A bonefish
Teleostei incertae sedis[8] Indeterminate Juniper Point locality 3 otoliths Teleost fish remains
Texoma[8] T. cyclogaster Juniper Point locality 5 otoliths A beardfish

Cartilaginous fish

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Cartilaginous fish reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Cretalamna[2][9] C. appendiculata Teeth An otodontid shark
Cretodus[9] C. semiplicatus Roanoke 15 teeth A mackerel shark
Cretoxyrhina[10] C. vraconensis Northeast Texas Seven teeth A mackerel shark
Leptostyrax[2][9] L. macrorhizus Nine teeth A mackerel shark
Paraisurus[2][9] P. compressus
  • Roanoke
  • SMU locality 241
Incomplete tooth A mackerel shark
Protolamna[9] P. roanokeensis Roanoke Teeth A mackerel shark
Pseudohypolophus[2] P. sp. SMU locality 241 A ray
Squalicorax[2][9][11][12] S. aff. S. baharijensis A tooth An anacoracid shark
S. pawpawensis Teeth An anacoracid shark
S. priscoserratus Teeth An anacoracid shark
S. volgensis Roanoke Teeth Material reassigned to S. pawpawensis
S. sp. Teeth Material reassigned to S. pawpawensis

Invertebrates

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Arthropods

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Arthropods reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Acanthaxius[13] A. carinatus Near Fort Worth Several specimens An axiid
Angulotergum[14] A. milviformis Salvation Army locality Numerous specimens A barnacle
Axiopsis[13] A. pawpawensis Near Fort Worth One specimen An axiid
A. sampsonumae Near Fort Worth One specimen An axiid
A. spinifera Near Fort Worth One specimen An axiid
Cenomanocarcinus[15] C. vanstraeleni Tarrant County Several specimens A cenomanocarcinid crab
Cretacoranina[16] C. punctata Approximately 260 specimens A frog crab
Dawsonius[13] D. tigris Near Fort Worth Several specimens A ctenochelid
Diotascalpellum[14] D. acies Salvation Army locality Multiple specimens A barnacle
Feldmannia[2][17][18] F. wintoni
  • SMU locality 241
  • Haltom City
  • Between Haltom City & Hurst
  • Benbrook
Numerous specimens An etyiid crab originally named as Xanthosia wintoni
Galathea[19] G. cretacea Watauga One specimen A squat lobster
G.? limonitica South of Fort Worth One specimen A squat lobster
Ivolepas[14] I. worthensis Salvation Army locality Multiple specimens A barnacle
Linuparus[2] L. adkinsi SMU locality 241 A spiny lobster
Marylyreidus[15] M. punctatus Tarrant County 3 specimens A lyreidid crab
Meticonaxius[13] M. rhacheochir Near Fort Worth One specimen A micheleid
Nephrops[19] N. americanus Fort Worth Numerous specimens A lobster
Nodosculda[20] N. fisherorum Near Fort Worth Several specimens A mantis shrimp
Paraxiopsis[13] P. erugatus Near Fort Worth Several specimens An axiid
P. texensis Near Fort Worth Several specimens An axiid
Raninella[2] R. sp. SMU locality 241 A frog crab
Xanthosia[2][17][18] X. aspera Several specimens An etyiid crab
X. pawpawensis
  • Haltom City
  • Between Haltom City & Hurst
  • Hurst
  • Benbrook
36 specimens An etyiid crab
X. reidi
  • Keller
  • Haltom City
10 carapaces An etyiid crab
X. wintoni
  • SMU locality 241
  • Haltom City
  • Between Haltom City & Hurst
  • Benbrook
Numerous specimens Moved to the genus Feldmannia

Bivalves

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Bivalves reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Lima[2] L. sp. SMU locality 241 A limid
Lopha[2] L. quadriplicata SMU locality 241 An ostreid
Neithea[2] N. sp. SMU locality 241 A neitheid
Stearnsia[2] S. robbinsi SMU locality 241 A crassatellid
Texigryphaea[2] T. washitaensis SMU locality 241 A gryphaeid
Trigonia[2] T. clavigera? SMU locality 241 A trigoniid

Cephalopods

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Cephalopods reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Anisoceras[21] A. armatum 5 fragments An ammonite
Cantabrigites[21] C. spinosum Multiple specimens An ammonite
C. wenoensis Multiple specimens An ammonite
Conlinites[21] C. wrighti
  • Northeast of Watagua
  • West of Roanoke
Several hundred specimens An ammonite
Engonoceras[2][21] E. serpentinum Near Denison Multiple specimens An ammonite
E. sp. SMU locality 241 An ammonite
Enigmaticeras[21] E. riceae
  • Northeast of Watagua
  • East of Watagua
  • Near Haslet
12 specimens An ammonite
Ficheuria[21] F. americana East of Watagua One specimen An ammonite
F. pernoni One specimen An ammonite
Flickia[21] F. simplex South of Rio Vista One specimen An ammonite
Hamites[21] H. venetzianus Keller 7 fragments An ammonite
Lechites[21] L. (Lechites) comanchensis Multiple specimens An ammonite
Mariella[21] M. (Mariella) asper
  • Fort Worth
  • South of Rio Vista
Multiple specimens An ammonite
M. (Mariella) worthensis
  • Fort Worth
  • Southwest of Haslet
Multiple specimens An ammonite
Mortoniceras[21] M. (Subschloenbachia) rostratum South of Rio Vista Internal mould An ammonite
Neophlycticeras[21] N. (Neophlycticeras) sp. A single shell An ammonite
N. (Paradolphia) occidentalis East of Watagua A single shell An ammonite
Scaphites[21] S. hilli Fort Worth Multiple specimens An ammonite
Stoliczkaia[21] S. (Lamnayella) worthense Fort Worth Several hundred specimens An ammonite
S. (Shumarinaia) asiatica 2 specimens An ammonite
S. (Stoliczkaia) clavigera Fragments of phragmocone An ammonite
Tetragonites[21] T. sp. Northeast of Watagua Internal mould An ammonite
Worthoceras[21] W. worthense Multiple specimens An ammonite

Echinoderms

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Echinoderms reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Alkaidia[22] A. sumralli
  • Fort Worth
  • Benbrook
36 fragments A starfish
Altairia[22] A. wintoni Fort Worth 6 specimens A starfish
Asteroidea indet.[2] Indeterminate SMU locality 241 A starfish
Betelgeusia[22] B. reidi
  • Keller
  • Haltom City
  • Fort Worth
  • Benbrook
  • Hurst
Hundreds of specimens A starfish
Capellia[22] C. mauricei Fort Worth Several specimens A starfish
Crateraster[22] C. texensis
  • Fort Worth
  • Benbrook
Over 30 specimens A starfish
Denebia[22] D. americana
  • Fort Worth
  • Benbrook
Numerous specimens A starfish
Discocrinus[23] D. catastomus Multiple specimens A crinoid
Echinoidea indet.[2] Indeterminate SMU locality 241 A sea urchin
Fomalhuatia[22] F. hortensae
  • Fort Worth
  • Benbrook
Numerous specimens A starfish
Goniasteridae indet.[22] Unknown Fort Worth 3 marginal ossicles A starfish
Poecilocrinus[2][23] P. dispandus SMU locality 241 A crinoid
P. dispandus forma discus Few specimens A crinoid
P. dispandus forma floriformis Multiple specimens A crinoid
Roveacrinus[23] R. morganae Fort Worth One specimen A crinoid
R. proteus Fort Worth 32 cups A crinoid

Gastropods

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Gastropods reported from the Paw Paw Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Turritella[2] T. sp. SMU locality 241 A turritellid

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lee, Yuong-Nam (1996-06-05). "A new nodosaurid ankylosaur (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Paw Paw Formation (Late Albian) of Texas". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 16 (2): 232–245. doi:10.1080/02724634.1996.10011311. ISSN 0272-4634.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Jacobs, Louis; Winkler, Dale; Murry, Phillip; Maurice, John (1996). "A nodosaurid scuteling from the Texas shore of the Western Interior Seaway". In Carpenter, Kenneth; Hirsch, Karl F.; Horner, John R. (eds.). Dinosaur eggs and babies (1 ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 337–346. ISBN 978-0-521-56723-7.
  3. ^ Riguetti, Facundo; Pereda-Suberbiola, Xabier; Ponce, Denis; Salgado, Leonardo; Apesteguía, Sebastián; Rozadilla, Sebastián; Arbour, Victoria (2022-12-31). "A new small-bodied ankylosaurian dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of North Patagonia (Río Negro Province, Argentina)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 20 (1): 2137441. Bibcode:2022JSPal..2037441R. doi:10.1080/14772019.2022.2137441. ISSN 1477-2019. S2CID 254212751.
  4. ^ Jr., Walter P. Coombs (1995). "A New Nodosaurid Ankylosaur (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Lower Cretaceous of Texas". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 15 (2): 298–312. ISSN 0272-4634.
  5. ^ a b Lee, Yuong-Nam (1995). "The Early Cretaceous pterodactyloid pterosaur Coloborhynchus from North America". Palaeontology. 37: 755–763.
  6. ^ Mull, Olivia K.; Bennett, S. Christopher (2023-07-31). "Tapejarine pterosaur from the late Albian Paw Paw Formation of Texas, USA, with extensive feeding traces of multiple scavengers". Historical Biology: 1–6. doi:10.1080/08912963.2023.2241044. ISSN 0891-2963.
  7. ^ Rodrigues, Taissa (2008-12-31). "Review of the pterodactyloid pterosaur Coloborhynchus". Zitteliana. B28: 219–228.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Schwarzhans, Werner; Stringer, Gary L.; Welton, Bruce (December 2022). "Oldest Teleostean Otolith Assemblage from North America (Pawpaw Formation, Lower Cretaceous, upper Albian, northeast Texas, USA)". Cretaceous Research. 140: 105307. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105307. ISSN 0195-6671.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Cappetta, Henri; Gerard, Case (1999). "Additions aux faunes de sélaciens du Crétacé du Texas (Albien supérieur-Campanien)". Palaeo Ichthyologica. 9: 5–111.
  10. ^ Siverson, Mikael; Ward, David J.; Lindgren, Johan; Kelley, L. Scott (2013). "Mid-Cretaceous Cretoxyrhina (Elasmobranchii) from Mangyshlak, Kazakhstan and Texas, USA". Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. 37 (1): 87–104. doi:10.1080/03115518.2012.709440. ISSN 0311-5518.
  11. ^ Welton, Bruce J.; Farish, Roger F. (1993). The collector's guide to fossil sharks and rays from the Cretaceous of Texas. Lewisvil[l]e, TX: Before Time. ISBN 978-0-9638394-0-4.
  12. ^ Siverson, Mikael; Lindgren, Johan; Kelley, L. Scott (2007-07-17). "ANACORACID SHARKS FROM THE ALBIAN (LOWER CRETACEOUS) PAWPAW SHALE OF TEXAS". Palaeontology. 50 (4): 939–950. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00691.x. ISSN 0031-0239.
  13. ^ a b c d e Franţescu, Ovidiu (2014). "Fossil mudshrimps (Decapoda: Axiidea) from the Pawpaw Formation (Cretaceous: Albian), northeast Texas, USA" (PDF). Bulletin of the Mizunami Fossil Museum (40): 13–22.
  14. ^ a b c Gale, Andy S. (2020-11-01). "Cirripedes (Thoracica, Crustacea) from the Cretaceous (Albian and Cenomanian) of Texas and Oklahoma, USA". Cretaceous Research. 115: 104556. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104556. ISSN 0195-6671.
  15. ^ a b Van Bakel, Barry; Guinot, Danièle; Artal, Pedro; René H.B., Fraaije; Jagt, John W.M. (2012). "A revision of the Palaeocorystoidea and the phylogeny of raninoidian crabs (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Podotremata)". Zootaxa. 3215: 1–216.
  16. ^ Haj, A. E.; Feldmann, Rodney M. (May 2002). "Functional morphology and taxonomic significance of a novel cuticular Structure in Cretaceous Raninid crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Raninidae)". Journal of Paleontology. 76 (3): 472–485. doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2002)076<0472:FMATSO>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0022-3360.
  17. ^ a b Hopkins, C. Schweitzer; Salva, Eric W.; Feldmann, Rodney M. (January 1999). "Re-evaluation of the genus Xanthosia Bell, 1863 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Xanthidae) and description of two new species from the Cretaceous of Texas". Journal of Paleontology. 73 (1): 77–90. doi:10.1017/S0022336000027566. ISSN 0022-3360.
  18. ^ a b Guinot, Danièle; Tavares, Marcos (2001). "Une nouvelle famille de crabes du Crustacés et la notion de Podotremata Guinot, 1977 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura)" (PDF). Zoosystema (in French). 23: 507–546.
  19. ^ a b Stenzel, H.B. (1945). "Decapod Crustaceans from the Cretaceous of Texas" (PDF). The University of Texas Publication. 4401: 401–477.
  20. ^ Franţescu, Ovidiu (2012-09-01). "Nodosculda fisherorum, New Genus and New Species of Mantis Shrimp (Stomatopoda: Sculdidae) from the Cretaceous (Late Albian) of Texas, USA". Journal of Crustacean Biology. 32 (5): 774–779. S2CID 86727467.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Kennedy, W. J. (2004-12-01). "Ammonites from the Pawpaw Shale (Upper Albian) in northeast Texas". Cretaceous Research. 25 (6): 865–905. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2004.08.005. ISSN 0195-6671.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h Blake, Daniel B.; Reid, Robert (May 1998). "Some Albian (Cretaceous) asteroids (Echinodermata) from Texas and their paleobiological implications". Journal of Paleontology. 72 (3): 512–532. doi:10.1017/S002233600002429X. ISSN 0022-3360.
  23. ^ a b c Gale, Andrew Scott; Rashall, Jenny Marie; Kennedy, William James; Holterhoff, Frank Koch (2021-03-05). "The microcrinoid taxonomy, biostratigraphy and correlation of the upper Fredericksburg and lower Washita groups (Cretaceous, middle Albian to lower Cenomanian) of northern Texas and southern Oklahoma, USA". Acta Geologica Polonica. 71 (1): 1–52. doi:10.24425/agp.2020.132256. ISSN 0001-5709.