Geology, Fossil Invertebrates

     Fossil invertebrate animals (animals without backbones) are a wondrously diverse group with a fossil record spanning over 600 million years. Their abundance, diversity, and wide range of adaptations make them an ideal resource for scientists to use in understanding how our planet has changed over time. Paleontologists at the Field Museum and from around the world study fossils in our collection to learn about these extinct animals and how they are related to modern animals. By studying these fossils paleontologists are able to learn  about the history of biodiversity, evolution, extinction events, climate changes, and paleobiogeography.

Specimen PE 13867, Tully Monster from the Mazon Creek Area, Illinois	Specimen PE 40223, an insect from the Mazon Creek Area, Illinois	Specimen PE 32282, a millipede from the Mazon Creek Area, Illinois

Specimen PE 28971, a Cambrian trilobite, Paradoxides davidis, from Newfoundland, Canada.	Specimen UC 2783, a Silurian coral,  Coenites reticulata, from Chicago, illinois.
Specimen P 754, a Silurian cephalopod, Dawsonoceras annulatum, from Chicago, Illinois.