Fossils
A variety of fossils are found in the Glen Rose, more abundantly in the lower Glen Rose than the upper, including numerous gastropods, clams and echinoids. Many species in the lower portion are not found in the upper portion. Dinosaur tracks have been found in many localities, as well as isolated vertebrate remains. Microfossils also are present, including one of the largest foraminifera ever found.
- Bivalves. A variety of fossil bivalves have been found, usually preserved as internal molds, with the exception of oysters, scallops and rudists, which have their shells present although mineralized. Some of the clams are large and round and have been given the popular name "heart clams." Fossil bivalves inclde a number of rudists which form reefs in the lower Glen Rose.
- Gastropods. Numerous gastropods are found in the Glen Rose, preserved as internal molds, the shells having dissolved away. Typical is Tylostoma, illustrated below.
- Corals. Corals formed reefs in the lower Glen Rose and a number of species of such corals have been described.
- Echinoids. A number of regular and irregular echinoids or "sea urchins" have been described from the Glen Rose. Salenia texana Credner and Heteraster obliquatus (Clark), illustrated below, are representative.
- Crabs. Over 10 species of decapod crustaceans or "crabs" have been described from the Glen Rose, the remains consisting of isolated claws and carapaces.
- Ammonites. A number of ammonites have been reported from the Glen Rose, although they are rare.
- Foramanifera. A variety of fossil foramanifera occur in the Glen Rose, including Orbitolina texana (Roemer), a giant (for forams) shell over a centimeter in diameter.
- Vertebrates.
- Dinosaur footprints and trackways occur in a number of localities in the Glen Rose. See discussion below. Fossil remains of vertebrates, however, are rare and include the following isolated finds:
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- Acrocanthosaurus, an allosauroid theropod dinosaur (a few isolated bones).
- Pachycheilosuchus, a mesoeucrocodylian or extinct crocodyle-like reptile.
- Pleurocoelus, a sauropod dinosaur
- Tenontosaurus, an iguanodontid dinosaur
- An unnamed sauropod dinosaur
- Plants
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- Algae. Porocystis globularis is the name given to a dimpled grape-shaped object common in the Glen Rose. Scientists have disagreed over its classification, but now believe it to be an algal fruiting body.
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- Cycads. Cycads have been found in the Glen Rose, primarily in the Paluxy Sands, and it has been stated that "he Trinity beds must be ranked as one of the five great cycad-yielding terraces of North America..."
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