OHIO SHALE CONODONTS

Although conodonts are numerous in the Ohio shale, they have received very little attention. To my knowledge, Cooper's paper (1931a), in which seven species are described from the top of the shale just northeast of Columbus, is the only publication on the subject. The present study encompasses a large variety of species and is the forerunner of a comprehensive study of the conodont fauna. The material for this paper was collected from the lower portion of the Ohio shale where it is exposed along a few small tributary streams of the Olentangy River about two miles northwest of Worthington, in central Franklin County. Thirty-seven previously described species and eighteen genera are recognized. Twelve forms are unassigned because of doubtful relationships. Among these may be several new species and at least one new genus. It is hoped that these doubtful forms can be described when additional material is collected and studied. The species described in this paper are listed as follows: Ancyrognathus irregularis Branson and Mehl Metaprioniodus biangulatus Huddl