Tennessee State Fossil

Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica Adopted: May 11, 1998

Tennessee State Fossil: Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica

The efforts to name an official state fossil for the State of Tennessee began at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Members of the campus GeoClub, led by Professor of Geology, Dr. Martin A. Gibson, worked from 1996 on the project, determining criteria and a suitable choice for the official honor.

GeoClub is a student organization at UT Martin that was created to promote geologic and geographic thought within the campus community. Its main objective is to facilitate the scholastic advancement of its members within a cooperative and cordial social environment. Projects and events outside of classrooms and laboratories that contribute to students' understanding of geologic and geographic phenomena are also part of GeoClub's mission.

("UTM Department of Agriculture, Geosciences & Natural Resources")

Dr. Gibson is a Professor of Geology at the University of Tennessee at Martin. One of his interests, revealed in the resolution, is "Fossils and paleoecology of the Cretaceous Coon Creek Formation of Western Tennessee." He also works extesively with K-12 teachers in the state, speaking at area schools "on geologic topics ranging from minerals and rocks to earthquakes to fossils (yes, especially dinosaurs for the kids)." ("Gibson's World of Paleo")

The bivalved invertebrate, Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica, became the official fossil of Tennessee when Governor Don Sundquist signed House Joint Resolution No. 552 on May 11, 1998.

Filed for intro on 03/02/98

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 552
By Maddox

A RESOLUTION to designate Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia)thoracica as the official fossil of Tennessee.

WHEREAS, the rocks of Tennessee preserve a rich array of fossil types, including invertebrates, vertebrates and plants from all regions of Tennessee, and these fossils record life in Tennessee throughout the many different periods of our state’s past; and

WHEREAS, fossils are the only record of the development and history of life on Earth and are thus a precious scientific and natural resource; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee fossils have been the focus of scientific study and collection for over 200 years, often figuring prominently in scientific advancements; and

WHEREAS, recognition and conservation of our natural resources is important for future residents of the State of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, the pursuit of fossils encourages awareness and appreciation of the natural wonders of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, fossils have great popular appeal to students, collectors, and visitors to Tennessee, providing a common focus for the education of our citizens and visitors and increasing public awareness and understanding of earth history and life on earth; and

WHEREAS, fossils and earth history comprise a major component of the Tennessee Science Framework for K-12 education, and thus provide Tennessee educators with a valuable teaching tool; and

WHEREAS, the bivalved invertebrate Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica, which inhabited the ancient seas that once covered much of Tennessee, is a unique fossil from the Coon Creek Formation of the Cretaceous geologic time period, which is well known to fossil collectors, researchers, and educators in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica epitomizes the many species of extinct organisms whose fossil remains are so abundantly preserved in the rocks throughout Tennessee, and is an easily recognizable symbol of Tennessee’s fossil resources; and

WHEREAS, students and other interested persons have the opportunity to personally collect their own specimens of Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica and experience the "hands-on" approach to learning about Tennessee's fossil resources; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE-HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, That the fossil bivalve Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica of the Coon Creek Formation is hereby designated as the official fossil of Tennessee.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State is directed to include pertinent information about the fossil bivalve Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica, including its designation as the official state fossil, in the 1999-2000 edition of the Tennessee Blue Book.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an enrolled copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of State.

Sources...

The State of Tennessee. Tennessee Code Annotated. Nashville:State of Tennessee. Web. 10 August 2011
The Tennessee General Assembly. House Resolution No.552. Nashville:State of Tennessee. Web. 11 Aug 2011
"GeoClub." UTM Agriculture, Geosciences & Natural Resources. University of Tennessee, n.d. Web. 11 Aug 2011. .
"Home page." Gibson's World of Paleo. Dr. Martin A. Gibson, n.d. Web. 11 Aug 2011.
Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols: A Historical Guide Third Edition, Revised and Expanded. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 3 Sub edition, 2001.

Additional Information

The State Fossil of Tennessee: The Frank H. McClung Museum, Knoxville, is a general museum with collections in anthropology, archaeology, decorative arts, local history, and natural history.

Tennessee State Fossil: University of Tennessee at Martin. The UT GeoClub at Martin was the driving force behind adoption of this Tennessee state fossil.

Pterotrigonia (Scabrotrigonia) thoracica: Paleobiology Database: a public resource for the global scientific community, organized and operated by a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, international group of paleobiological researchers. Its purpose is to provide global, collection-based occurrence and taxonomic data for marine and terrestrial animals and plants of any geological age.

State fossils: Complete list of official state fossils from NETSTATE.COM.

More symbols & emblems: Complete list of official Tennessee state symbols from NETSTATE.COM.

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