Geology 105 - Paleontology
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Reading Guide: Chapter 19 AND

Graptolites: pp. 409-423 & Conodonts: pp. 429-434

Know these terms:

 trace fossils rhabdosome
bioturbation thecae

Be able to answer these questions:

1. Fill out Critter Charts for conodonts and graptolites.

2. Make a chart of the different kinds of trace fossils (p. 406) and what they look like. Don't use the technical names (e.g., Cubichnia), just a descriptive name (e.g, resting trace).

3. Make another chart relating ichnofacies, sedimentary facies, general character of fossils, and possible organisms creating the fossil.

4. What information can be derived from terrestrial trackways?

5. Why are graptolites considered to be hemichordates?

6. Why were graptolites important to geologists even when we did not know what kind of organism they were?

7. What kind of organism did conodonts come from, and what was the function of the things we call conodonts? What is the evidence?

8. How are conodonts useful in both biostratigraphy and in determining the thermal maturation of a rock (we'll talk in class about what that means)?