The Old Church Formation is a geologic formation in Virginia and possibly Maryland. It preserves fossils dating back to the Oligocene epoch of the Paleogene period. It rarely exposes on land and is under-studied. However, deposits from this period are rare and the Old Church Formation likely contains many scientifically significant taxa.

Species Some of the species known from the Old Church Formation are included below. Further study will likely reveal a more diverse fauna.

Chondrichthyans Otodus angustidens Hemipristis serra Alopias vulpinus Squatina prima?

Cetaceans Xenorophidae sp. Micromysticetus sp. cf. Ankylorhiza sp. cf. Xenorophus sloani aff. Coronodon sp. aff. Cotylocara sp. and Echovenator sp. aff. Eosqualodon sp.

Chelonians Procolpochelys charlestonensis Carolinochelys wilsoni Ashleychelys palmeri

Invertebrates Source: Mercenaria gardnerae Anomia ruffini "Pectin" seabeensis "Pectin" sp. Lucina sp. Plicatula sp. Epitonium sp. Panopea sp. Cyclocardia sp. Astarte sp. Pycnodonte sp. Isognomon sp. "Cardium" sp. Bicorbula idonea Macrocallista sp. Diadora sp. Ecphora sp. Trophon sp. Calypttaea sp.

See also

List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Virginia Paleontology in Virginia

References