2 Interdisciplinary Paleontology: New approaches to solving complex paleontological problems (Part I)

Paleontology is increasingly drawing upon insight from other disciplines to solve complex problems and generate more accurate reconstructions of past life. This session will illustrate novel interdisciplinary research and provide tools to develop such approaches.

Monday, 18 May 2026
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alvarado F

Powering the Grid, Unearthing the Past: Fossil Fish Discoveries from Paleontological Monitoring in Eastern Oregon

Paper number: 2-7
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:20 AM – 10:40 AM

Authors

Abstract

The Miocene-Pliocene Idaho Group has historically yielded a diverse assemblage of fish, mammal, and crustacean faunas from the Poison Creek, Chalk Hills, and Glenns Ferry formations. While providing paleontological resource monitoring during construction of a utility project in Malheur County, Oregon, Eocene Environmental Group paleontologists discovered numerous new paleontological localities. Most significant are three microfossil localities preserving thousands of microvertebrate fish fossils.

These localities were discovered both on the surface prior to ground disturbance and by construction equipment disturbing in situ fossiliferous layers. Paleontological monitors worked in coordination with construction personnel to ensure the preservation and recovery of significant fossils. Poorly cemented sandstones allowed for on-site dry screening of thousands of pounds of fossiliferous sediment using 1/8-inch mesh screens, allowing for efficient bulk processing in the field. A substantial amount of additional sediment was collected for laboratory processing using finer 1/12 and 1/20-inch mesh sizes to salvage smaller specimens.

To date, fossil identifications include fish mandibles, cranial elements, vertebrae, and fin spines from Cyprinidae genera Mylocheilus and Ptychocheilus (minnows), Salmonidae genus Oncorhynchus (trout and salmon), Ictaluridae (catfish), Catostomidae (suckers), and Cottidae (sculpins). Additionally, numerous Pacifastacus chenoderma crayfish were recovered from one of our sites, and occasional mammal and bird microfossils were also present. Several of the fish taxa have biostratigraphic utility within the Idaho Group and contribute to refining local stratigraphic correlations.

Project monitoring locations were determined using the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Potential Fossil Yield Classification (PFYC) system recently released for Oregon and Idaho in close coordination with the BLM Regional Paleontologist. Notably, these discoveries were made in areas designated as having unknown paleontological potential, emphasizing the importance of monitoring in poorly studied areas to refine resource assessments and prevent the inadvertent loss of scientifically significant paleontological resources. Collaboration with resource monitors, land management agencies, and construction personnel was critical to the successful identification, preservation, and protection of these paleontological resources. Systematic paleontological monitoring not only protects paleontological resources from construction-related impacts but also expands regional stratigraphic and paleontological knowledge.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410718

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