Paleontological site

    Featured Specimens

    EXHIBIT-009
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Ammonites

    Ammonites are a subclass of cephalopods that lived from the Devonian to the very start of the Paleocene (410–65 MYA). These specimens come in various sizes, and their exact age isn't known.

    Cerithium
    EXHIBIT-003
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Cerithium

    Cerithium is a genus of medium-sized marine gastropods, specifically sea snails. They were most likely herbivores that were eaten by larger cephalopods and other predators. These specimens were found within the many cliffs and slopes of San Juan Raya, within layers of rock that were once ocean floor millions of years ago.

    Corals
    EXHIBIT-008
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Corals

    Corals are marine invertebrates that form colonies of genetically identical polyps. These ancient specimens provide evidence of the rich marine ecosystem that once existed in the San Juan Raya region.

    Echinoderms
    EXHIBIT-005
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Echinoderms

    Echinoderms are a phylum of animals that includes starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and their relatives. Their status as a phylum is owed to their astouding diversity.

    Gastropods (Nododelphinulidae)
    EXHIBIT-007
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Gastropods (Nododelphinulidae)

    Nododelphinulidae is an extinct family of gastropods that were epifaunal grazers that lived on the sea floor. These specimens are of the species turbinata, of the genus Nododelphinula.

    Gastropods
    EXHIBIT-006
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Gastropods

    Gastropods are a phylogenetic class of Molluscs that includes snails, slugs, and their relatives. The specimens shown here are of the genus Acteona. Even though the species is labeled as "tehuacanansis", their is no official description for this dubious species.

    Glyptodont
    EXHIBIT-011
    San Juan Raya

    Glyptodont

    This illustration is right above the fossil shell of a mexican glyptodont, or Glyptotherium mexicanum. The specimen presented at the exhibit is a massive fossil shell, so large in fact, that early human tribes of Mexico used the shells of especially old and large individuals to make tents.

    Trigonias (Ptertrigonia)
    EXHIBIT-004
    San Juan Raya ▼
    Marine Fossils

    Trigonias (Ptertrigonia)

    Pterotrigonia are an extinct genus of marine bivalves of the family Trigoniidae. Fossils of this genus are found in rock dating between the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic. These fossils were found in Early Cretaceous rocks, dating to 113-120 MYA. Trigonias are known for their strangely curved shells, which are covered in striations. It is unknown what these would be used for in life. Mating? Confusing Predators? We still don’t really know.

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