Wind River Formation Explained

Wind River Formation
Type:Geological formation
Age:Paleogene
Period:Paleogene
Region:Wyoming
Country: United States

The Wind River Formation is a geologic formation in Wyoming in the Wind River Basin. It preserves fossils dating back to the Paleogene period. A recent study by Stanford suggests that fracking has contaminated the entire ground water resource in the basin.[1]

Fossil content

Mammals

Cimolestans

Cimolestans reported from the Wind River Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
PalaeosinopaP. incertaLost Cabin Member.A pantolestid also known from the Willwood and San Jose formations .
P. sp.Lost Cabin Member.A pantolestid.

Primatomorphs

Primatomorphs reported from the Wind River Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
AbsarokiusA. sp.Cottonwood Creek, Lysite Member.[3] An omomyid.
ArapajoviusA. cf. gazini
CopelemurC. feretutusLysite Member."ACM 4326, an isolated right M1".A notharctine.

Ungulates

Reptiles

Squamates

Squamates reported from the Wind River Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
OtotritonO. solidusLysite Member.[4] ACM 3539.A worm lizard.
ProtorhineuraP. hatcheriiA worm lizard also known from the Brule & White River formations.
SpathorhynchusS. fossoriumA worm lizard also known from the Bridger Formation.

Invertebrates

Insects

Plants

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fracking Can Contaminate Drinking Water. Scientific American.
  2. Bown . T. . Schankler . David M. . 1982 . A review of the Proteutheria and Insectivora of the Willwood Formation (Lower Eocene), Bighorn Basin, Wyoming . 10.3133/B1523. 127861247 . free .
  3. Johnson . Edward . 2005-06-01 . A New Early Eocene Mammalian Fauna from the Great Divide Basin, Southwestern Wyoming: Vertebrate Paleontology, Paleoclimatology, and Biostratigraphy . Masters Theses.
  4. Hembree . Daniel I. . April 30, 2007 . Phylogenetic revision of Rhineuridae (Reptilia: Squamata: Amphisbaenia) from the Eocene to Miocene of North America . The University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . en . 15 . 1–20. 10.17161/PCNS.1808.3763 . 59354440 . free . 1808/3763 . free .
  5. Hickey . Leo J. . Hodges . Ronald W. . 1975-08-29 . Lepidopteran Leaf Mine from the Early Eocene Wind River Formation of Northwestern Wyoming . Science . 189 . 4204 . 718–720 . 10.1126/science.189.4204.718 . 1975Sci...189..718H . 0036-8075.