Ptychodus mammillaris (Elasmobranchii) and Enchodus cf. E. shumardi (Teleostei) from the Fort Hays Limestone Member of the Niobrara Chalk (Upper Cretaceous) in Ellis County, Kansas

Abstract

Vertebrate fossils are rare components of the Fort Hays Limestone Member (uppermost Turonian - Lower Coniacian) of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk. Herein, two fish taxa are described that are new to the unit: Ptychodus mammillaris Agassiz and Enchodus cf. E. shumardi Leidy. These additions increase the total number of documented vertebrate species to 11 for the Fort Hays Limestone and provide additional insights into the paleoecology (e.g. community structure) of the Western Interior Seaway during the deposition of the Fort Hays Limestone.