Paleobiota of the Posidonia Shale

18x6 m fossilized floating wood (Araucarioxylon), with Crinoids attached (Pentacrinites & Seirocrinus). It is one of the most emblematic fossils of the formation, where the anoxic seas of the lower toarcian lead to an exquisite preservation.

The Posidonia Shale or Posidonienschiefer Formation is a geological formation of southwestern Germany, northern Switzerland, northwestern Austria, southeast Luxembourg and the Netherlands, that spans about 3 million years during the Early Jurassic period (early Toarcian stage). It is known for its detailed fossils, especially sea fauna, listed below. Composed mostly by black shale, the formation is a Lagerstätte, where fossils show exceptional preservation (Including exquisite soft tissues), with a thickness that varies from about 1 m to about 40 m on the Rhine level, being on the main quarry at Holzmaden between 5 and 14 m. Some of the preserved material has been transformed into fossil hydrocarbon Jet, specially wood remains, used for jewelry. The exceptional preservation seen on the Posidonia Shale has been studied since the late 1800s, finding that a cocktail of chemical and environmental factors let to such an impressive conservation of the marine fauna. The most common theory is the changes on the oxygen level, where the different anoxic events of the Toarcian left oxygen-depleted bottom waters, with the biota dying and falling to the bottom without any predator able to eat the dead bodies.

Microbial Activity

Color key Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon		Notes Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Stromatolites	Non assignable Species	Teufelsgraben, Hetzles	Traces of Microbial Activity	Non-fenestrate stromatolite crusts formed in Aphotic deep-water environments during intervals of very low sedimentation. Abundant on the Precambrian, but after it, and concretely on the Jurassic-Cretaceous, the appearance of the Corallinaceae algae and related biota forced the stromatolite-forming microbes to withdraw to extreme habitats such as hypersaline lagoons and possibly to deep-water settings. On the Posidonia Shale are related with plankton, mainly coccoliths and the problematic Schizosphaerella (A Haptophytan Alga), but also typical deep-sea forms including various groups of cephalopods, and articulated skeletons of fishes and reptiles. The Stromatolites of this region have evidence of live on a deeper shelf environment with a quietwater deposit which suffered repeated phases of stagnant bottom waters, where a depth water habitat developed, probably at more than 100 meters depth. There is a thin, southern widespread Stromatolite crust on the Top of the Posidonia Shale, called "Wittelshofener Bank", that has made rethink the depth of the major southern basin of the formation, where with the absence of phototrophic calcareous benthic organisms (probably due to the lack of light), shows the deph character of the Basin. On the "Wittelshofener Bank" there is also the only occurrence of Ooids, presumably formed in the same deep-water environment.	Example of Stromatolites fossil trace, done probably by Cyanobacteria
Frutexites	Frutexites arboriformis	Teufelsgraben, Hetzles	Possible traces of Microbial Activity	Probably related with Archaea activity. Although Frutexites is a cryptic microfossil and an important element of many deep water stromatolites, with an Inorganic origin proposed, where are interpreted as dendritic shrubs to purely inorganic growth of Aragonitic crystals, but also resemble shrubs of the cyanobacteria Angulocellularia. On the Posidonia a cryptoendopelitic mode of life is assumed, being only possible for Heterotrophic bacteria or Fungi. As seen on the Stromatolites of the Posidonia, Frutexites acted mainly as a dweller or secondary binder of the deep-water stromatolites, not as their major constructor.

Rhizaria

Foraminifera

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Astacolus	Astacolus bochardi Astacolus primus	Buttenheim	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Vaginulinidae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina). An extant genus. Its shell resemble a mixture between an ammonite conch, due to having a lower spiral, and a mussel.	Drawing of an Astacolus shell
Flabellinella	Flabellinella sp.	Buttenheim	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Vaginulinidae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina). Its conch has a Myriapod-like segmented built.
Lenticulina	Lenticulina acutiangulata Lenticulina gottingensis Lenticulina sp.	Buttenheim Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Vaginulinidae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina).
Vaginulina	Vaginulina simplex Vaginulina sp.	Buttenheim Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, type member of Vaginulinidae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina).
Palmula	Palmula cuneiformis	Buttenheim	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Vaginulinidae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina).
Marginulina	Marginulina oolithica Marginulina prima	Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Marginulininae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina).
Saracenaria	Saracenaria aragonensis	Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Lenticulininae inside the family Vaginulinida (Lagenina).
Cornuspira	Cornuspira involvens	Buttenheim	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, type member of Cornuspiridae inside the family Cornuspirida (Lagenina). Round-spiral shell morphology
Dentalina	Dentalina terquiemi Dentalina matutina Dentalina vetusta Dentalina sp.	Buttenheim Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Nodosariidae inside the family Nodosariacea (Lagenina). Dentalina is an extant genus, with an elongated shell, that resemble a small worm.
Pseudonodosaria	Pseudonodosaria melo Pseudonodosaria quinquecostata	Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Nodosariidae inside the family Nodosariacea (Lagenina).
Ichthyolaria	Ichthyolaria squamosa Ichthyolaria sp.	Buttenheim	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, type member of Ichthyolariidae inside the family Lagenina. Another genus with a Myriapod-like segmented built.
Lingulina	Lingulina pupa Lingulina tenera	Unterstürmig	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, type member of Lingulininae inside the family Nodosariidae (Lagenina). Dentalina is an extant genus, with an elongated shell, that resemble a small worm.
Reinholdella	Reinholdella sp.	Buttenheim	All the levels	Shells	A benthonic Foraminiferan, member of Ceratobuliminidae inside the family Robertinida. It resembles a small ammonite.

Dinoflagellata

Dinoflagellate cysts

The evolutionary burst of the Toarcian Dinoflajellates led the first appearance and rapid radiation of the Phallocystaceae (Susainium, Parvocysta, Phallocysta, Moesiodinium and related forms). This occurred at the time of a wide-spread Lower Toarcian bituminous anoxia-derived shale of the Posidonienschiefer Formation. Is recovered on the Posidonienschiefer, Pozzale, Italy, Asturias, Spain, Bornholm, Denmark, the Lusitanian Basin of Portugal, the Jet Rock Formation in Yorkshire and to the "Schistes Carton" in northern France. Whether there is a causal connection in this co-occurrence of Phallocystaceae and bituminous facies is a problem still to be resolved. This family has its acme in diversity and quantity in the latest Toarcian and became less im-portant in the Aalenian.

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Nannoceratopsis	Nannoceratopsis gracilis Nannoceratopsis senex Nannoceratopsis ridingii Nannoceratopsis tricornuta Nannoceratopsis deflandrei Nannoceratopsis triceras	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst, member of Dinophyceae of the family Nannoceratopsiaceae. On the Lias Epsylon Interval (Lowermost Toarcian), most of the assemblages are dominated by Nannoceratopsis gracilis. Nannoceratopsis senex becomes highly abundant until the uppermost Tenuicostatum.
Comparodinium	Comparodinium koessenium Comparodinium lineatum Comparodinium punctatum Comparodinium scalatum Comparodinium stipulatum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Comparodiniaceae.
Valvaeodinium	Valvaeodinium punctatum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Comparodiniaceae.
Apodinium	Apodinium fioccosum Apodinium glabrum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Apodiniaceae. An Ectoparasitic dinoflagellate, whose hosts are normally Tunicates
Eyachia	Eyachia priscus	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Scriniocassiaceae.
Argentiella	Argentiella bifuminosa	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Scriniocassiaceae.
Scriniocassis	Scriniocassis weberi	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Scriniocassiaceae.
Balechiodinium	Balechiodinium concicum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Scriniocassiaceae.
Moesiodinium	Moesiodinium cingulatum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Heterocapsaceae.
Morgenrothia	Morgenrothia junior Morgenrothia tenera	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Heterocapsaceae.
Susadinium	Susadinium cristatum Susadinium flaccum Susadinium saetosum Susadinium scrofoides	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Heterocapsaceae.
Parvocysta	Parvocysta nasuta	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Heterocapsaceae.
Surculosphaeridium	Surculosphaeridium longifurcatum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Gonyaulacaceae.
Phallocysta	Phallocysta minuta	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Phallocysteae.
Weiachia	Weiachia fenestrata	Weiach corehole	Bifrons	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst from the family Phallocysteae. The specific epithet, fenestrata, refers to the openings, or fenestrae, in the periphragm.
Mancodinium	Mancodinium semitabulatum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst, type member of Mancodiniaceae. Dominant genera on some layers of the Lias Delta Stage.
Maturodinium	Maturodinium inornatum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst, member of Mancodiniaceae. Commonly found along the genus Beaumontella.
Luehndea	Luehndea spinosa	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst, type member of Luehndeoideae. Luehndea spinosa is common on the medium layers of the lower Posidonia Shale, while restricted to some areas on the Lias delta.
Beaumontella	Beaumontella caminuspina	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Cysts	A Dinoflagellate cyst, member of Suessiaceae. Common on Pliensbachian levels, become present but rare on lower Toarcian.

Algae

Includes abundant variety of algae, such as the genus of colonial Green algae Botryococcus, or the unicellular algal bodies Tasmanites, and other small examples. Algae are a good reference for changes on the oxygen conditions along the Toarcian.

Algae Acritarchs

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Veryhachium	Veryhachium brevispinum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	An Acritarch probably from Algal origin. Veryhachium fossils represent open marine and transgressive conditions. It has high presence on most of the samples studied from the Posidonia Shale, being nearly the 50% of the Acritarch fraction on some locations.
Micrhystridium	Micrhystridium inconspicuum Micrhystridium spinuliferum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	An Acritarch probably from Algal origin. Its fossils indicate nearshore or estuarine to shallow lagoon and/or slightly brackish-water environments. It is the dominant on the nearshore sections.
Leiofusa	Leiofusa jurassica Leiofusa fusiformis	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	An Acritarch probably from Algal origin. Related to estuarine deposits.
Pterospermopsis	Pterospermopsis pelagica Pterospermopsis goslarensis	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	An Acritarch probably from Algal origin. Related to open shelf deposits
Cymatiosphaeropsis	Cymatiosphaeropsis punctiferus Cymatiosphaeropsis stigmatus	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	An Acritarch probably from Algal origin. Related to open shelf deposits
Pterosphaeridia	Pterosphaeridia undulata Pterosphaeridia eisenackii Pterosphaeridia intersignata Pterosphaeridia nodosa Pterosphaeridia pachytheca	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	An Acritarch probably from Algal origin. Related to open shelf deposits

Haptophyta

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Mitrolithus	Mitrolithus jansae	Lower Saxony Basin	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the family Parhabdolithaceae inside Stephanolithiales. Shore deposits genus. The abundance drop of M. jansae further characterise the T-OAE perturbation, where becomes the dominant Genus on most of the Saxony Basin.
Parhabdolithus	Parhabdolithus liasicus	Lower Saxony Basin	All the levels	Millions of specimens	Type member of the family Parhabdolithaceae inside Stephanolithiales.
Schizosphaerella	Schizosphaerella punctulata	Lower Saxony Basin	All the levels	Millions of specimens	Type member of the family Schizosphaerellaceae inside Parhabdolithaceae. Towards the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extincion this genus gets a decrease in abundance and size that shows the change and biotic crisis.
Biscutum	Biscutum grandis	Lower Saxony Basin	All the levels	Millions of specimens	Type member of the family Biscutaceae inside Parhabdolithaceae.
Crepidolithus	Crepidolithus granulatus	Lower Saxony Basin	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the family Chiastozygaceae inside Eiffellithales.

Chlorophyta

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Scriniocassis	Scriniocassis limbatus Scriniocassis limbicavatus Scriniocassis priscus	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Dinophyceae.
Palaeohystrichophora	Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Peridiniaceae inside Dinophyceae.
Dissiliodinium	Dissiliodinium giganteum	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Gonyaulacaceae inside Dinophyceae.
Pleurozonaria	Pleurozonaria globulus Pleurozonaria chondrota Pleurozonaria concinna Pleurozonaria digitata Pleurozonaria distans Pleurozonaria diversipora Pleurozonaria macropora Pleurozonaria media Pleurozonaria polyporosa Pleurozonaria spongiosa Pleurozonaria stellulata Pleurozonaria suevica Pleurozonaria wetzelii	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Prasinophyceae. It the main genus present on silt and sand horizons, trending to be absent on black argillaceous layers.
Campenia	Campenia minor Campenia gigas	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Prasinophyceae. A genus common on green clays and other upper strata on the formation.
Tasmanites	Tasmanites mourai Tasmanites tardus	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Prasinophyceae. A genus common on green clays and other upper strata on the formation.
Cyrnatiosphaera	Cyrnatiosphaera densisepta	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of Prasinophyceae. A genus common on green clays and other upper strata on the formation.
Leiosphaera	Leiosphaera globosa Leiosphaeridia deflandrei Leiosphaeridia pusilla	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the Prasinophyceae. Basinal deposits genus
Lancettopsis	Lancettopsis lanceolata	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the Prasinophyceae. Basinal deposits genus
Nostocopsis	Nostocopsis saprolithica	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the Prasinophyceae. Basinal deposits genus
Granodiscus	Granodiscus granulatus	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the Prasinophyceae. Basinal deposits genus
Tytthodiscus	Tytthodiscus chondrotus Tytthodiscus schandelahensis Tytthodiscus suevicus Tytthodiscus cf. suevicus	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the Prasinophyceae. Basinal deposits genus
Cymatiosphaera	Cymatiosphaera areolata Cymatiosphaera punctifera Cymatiosphaera stigmata Cymatiosphaera tecta Cymatiosphaera pachytheca	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the family Pyramimonadales inside Prasinophyceae. Basinal deposits genus
Halosphaeropsis	Halosphaeropsis liassica	All the epicontinental, basinal & nearshore sections of the formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	A member of the family Halosphaeraceae inside Chlorodendrales. Basinal deposits genus
Botryococcus	Botryococcus braunii Botryococcus luteus	Deltaic Influenced Zones of the Formation	All the levels	Millions of specimens	Type member of the family Botryococcaceae inside Trebouxiales. Freshwater or Deltaic Genus	Modern Botryococcus

Plantae

The Flora is dominated by horsetails, what can be due to a similar ecological niche to modern genus Phragmites, able to resist saline conditions. Storms or floods maybe where the major events that transported this flora to the sea.

The macroflora of the Posidonia slate can be described as extremely poor in species. Apart from the remains of Horsetails, it is without exception the remains of coarse branches and fronds from gymnosperms, in which one has a certain can assume transport resistance. Remains of Ferns are completely missing, except for tall arboreal ferns (Peltaspermales). Mostly of the flora was reported from the area of Braunschweig. The major explanation for the flora could be that the plants in question are mono-or oligotypic stands on the edge of the waters that flow into the Posidonienschiefer sea, probably tear away in the course of flood events, easily fragmented during transport and wave waves, possibly especially in the occasional storm events postulated. In terms of taphonomy, this would result in a comparison with today's reed Phragmites, which can form extensive stocks on the edge of shallower and slowly flowing waters ("Reed belts"). The Wood remnants clearly indicate one higher diversity of Coniferous flora in the delivery area than the remains of leafy branches. This fact is likely to be proportionate, similar to that frequent occurrence of charcoalized or gagged trunks, mostly of them are believed to be "driftwoods" that only take a long time drifting also suggests a frequent settlement with mussels and full-grown Sea Lilies. The deposition settings are at large distance from the nearest coastline (for southern Germany about 100 kilometers), making only plants strong to transportation able to resist enougth to get deposited.

Palynology

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Foraminisporis	Foraminisporis jurassicus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Sphagnopsida inside Bryophyta.	Extant Sphagnum, the typical example of the Sphagnales. Foraminisporis probably come from a similar Plant
Aratrisporites	Appendicisporites tricuspidatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. The most common Lycopsid Spore on the samples recovered on the formation.	Extant Lycopodium, typical example of Lycophyta. Aratrisporites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Heliosporites	Heliosporites altmarkensis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. Herbaceous flora coming from environments with high humidity	Extant Lycopodium, typical example of Lycophyta. Heliosporites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Leptolepidites	Leptolepidites bossus Leptolepidites macroverrucosus Leptolepidites major	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. Herbaceous flora coming from environments with high humidity	Extant Lycopodium, typical example of Lycophyta. Leptolepidites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Lycospora	Lycospora salebrosacea	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. Herbaceous flora coming from environments with high humidity	Extant Austrolycopodium, typical example of Lycophyta. Lycospora probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Neochomotriletes	Neochomotriletes triangularis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. Herbaceous flora coming from environments with high humidity	Extant Huperzia, typical example of Lycophyta. Neochomotriletes probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Uvaesporites	Uvaesporites argenteaeformis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. Herbaceous flora coming from environments with high humidity	Extant Lycopodiella, typical example of Lycophyta. Uvaesporites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Zebrasporites	Zebrasporites interscriptus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopsida inside Lycophyta. Herbaceous flora coming from environments with high humidity	Extant Lycopodium, typical example of Lycophyta. Zebrasporites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Retitriletes	Retitriletes clavatoides Retitriletes globosus Retitriletes gracilis Retitriletes subrotundus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopodiaceae inside Lycopodiopsida. Represents herbaceous Lycophytes of small to medium size (10–40 cm), that are found mostly on deltaic deposits.	Extant Lycopodium, typical example of Lycopodiaceae. Retitriletes probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Simozonotriletes	Simozonotriletes arcuatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Lycopodiaceae inside Lycopodiopsida. Represents herbaceous Lycophytes of small to medium size (10–40 cm), that are found mostly on deltaic deposits.	Extant Diphasiastrum, typical example of Lycopodiaceae. Simozonotriletes probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Verrucosisporites	Verrucosisporites obscurilaesuratus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with the Isoetales inside Lycophyta.	Extant Isoetes, typical example of Isoetales. Verrucosisporites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Echitriletes	Echitriletes parvulus	Niedersachsen	All The Levels	Spores	Affinities with Isoetaceae inside Lycopsida.	Extant Isoetes, typical example of Isoetales. Echitriletes probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Trilites	Trilites minutus Trilites lygodioides	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with the Selaginellaceae inside Lycopsida.	Extant Selaginella, typical example of Selaginellaceae. Trilites probably come from a similar or a related Plant
Appendicisporites	Appendicisporites tricuspidatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with the Schizaeaceae inside Schizaeales.	Extant Schizaea, typical example of the Schizaeaceae. Appendicisporites spores are pretty similar to the extant ones of this genus
Densoisporites	Densoisporites velatus Densosporites variabilis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with the Schizaeaceae inside Schizaeales.	Extant Schizaea, typical example of the Schizaeaceae. Densoisporites spores are pretty similar to the extant ones of this genus
Crassipollenites	Crassipollenites diffusus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Gymnospermophyta. Non concreted affinities
Baculatisporites	Baculatisporites primarius	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Pteridopsida.
Polycingulatisporites	Polycingulatisporites liassicus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Pteridopsida.
Leiotriletes	Leiotriletes mesozoicus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Pteridopsida.
Converrucosisporites	Converrucosisporites luebbenensis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Pteridopsida.
Contignisporites	Contignisporites dunrobinensis Contignisporites problematicus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with Pteridopsida.
Lycopodiacidites	Lycopodiacidites rugulatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with the Ophioglossaceae inside Filicopsida. Spores related with modern floor Ferns, that appear on abundant water locations.	Lycopodiacidites spores are tougth to come from a genus similar to Ophioglossum
Gleicheniidites	Gleicheniidites umbonatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Spores	Affinities with the Gleicheniaceae inside Polypodiidae. Resemble the modern Gleichenia Spores, and proably represent a similar genus or a member of it. Fern related to large colonies, found mostly on humid environments.	Extant Unidentified Gleicheniaceae. Gleicheniidites may have come from a similar genus
Clavatipollenites	Clavatipollenites hughesii	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Gnetopsida and probably Gnetophyta. Has Been considered Pollen of Chloranthaceae. However, it is to old for belonging to advanced Angiosperms. It probably comes from cones related to the Genera Piroconites kuesperti from the Lowermost Jurassic of Germany, resembling pollen of extant Ephedra and Welwitschia.	Closer Look of Ephedra cones, a common Gnetal. Clavatipollenites maybe come from a related plant
Ephedripites	Ephedripites tortuosus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with the Chlamydospermae inside Gnetales. Identified originally as Pollen coming from the extant Ginkgo biloba, was later found to be misidentified. It was later found that Aphlebia lautneri from the Hettangian of Franken (Germany) has microsporophylls covered on one surface with synangia consisting of three adnate pollen sacs, yielding Ephedripites pollen.	Extant cones of Ephedra, example of the Gnetales. Ephedripites Pollen has been found on identical cones from relatives of this genus
Eucommiidites	Eucommiidites granulosus Eucommiidites troedssonii	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Type Pollen of the Erdtmanithecales, that can be related with the Gnetales. Thick tectum, infratectum of small granules, indistinct or absent foot layer. Originally was thought to come from Angiosperms, latter reports suggest it come from arbustive Bennetites. It was recently found to come from Eucommiitheca, member of the enigmatic Erdtmanithecales, reinterpreted as an unusual gymnosperm grain with a single distal colpus flanked by two subsidiary lateral colps. Is very similar to the Pollen of the extant Ephedra and Welwitschia (mainly on the granular structure of the exine).
Quadraeculina	Quadraeculina anellaeformis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Pinaceae inside Coniferae. Pollen From arbustive to arboreal plants, resembling the modern genus Picea	Extant Pinus Cone, example of the Pinidae. Quadraeculina is similar to the pollen found on this genus
Ovalipollis	Ovalipollis ovalis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with the Pinidae inside Coniferae.	Extant Pinus Cone, example of the Pinidae. Ovalipollis is similar to the pollen found on this genus
Callialasporites	Callialasporites dampieri Callialasporites turbatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Pinaceae inside Coniferae.	Extant Pinus Cone, example of the Pinidae. Callialasporites is similar to the pollen found on this genus
Inaperturopollenites	Inaperturopollenites orbiculatus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with the Pinidae inside Coniferae. Abundant on the Lower Jurassic of NW Europe, represents pollen of medium to large arboreal plants, specially coniferales.	Extant Pinus cembra Cone, example of the Pinidae. Inaperturopollenites is similar to the pollen found on this genus
Sciadopityspollenites	Sciadopityspollenites serratus	Niedersachsen	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with the Sciadopityaceae inside Coniferae. Abundant on the Toarcian of the North Atlantic margin, specially allocated on Sweden and Bornholm. Represents pollen of medium to large arboreal plants, specially coniferales.	Extant Sciadopitys Cone, example of the Sciadopityaceae. Sciadopityspollenites is similar to the pollen found on this genus
Cerebropollenites	Cerebropollenites mesozoicus Cerebropollenites macroverrucosus Cerebropollenites thiergartii	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Abietoideae inside Coniferae. Pollen From arbustive to arboreal plants, resembling the pollen of the modern genus Tsuga. The differences observed between Cerebropollenites and Tsuga are no greater than the differences observed between the pollen of the two Sections of Tsuga, Hesperopeuce and Micropeuce.	Extant Tsuga Cone, example of the Abietoideae. Cerebropollenites is similar to the pollen found on this genus
Spheripollenites	Spheripollenites subgranulatus Spheripollenites classopolloides Spheripollenites laceratus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah Baden	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae inside Pinaceae. Abundant on the Lower Jurassic of NW Europe. Spheripollenites co-occurs on the coeval Sorthat Formation with cuticles of Dactyletrophyllum ramonensis, and after a test of relationships it was found a highly significant correlation may suggest that S. psilatus is produced by the conifer genus Dactyletrophyllum.
Classopollis	Classopollis classoides Classopollis dellassis Classopollis reclusus Classopollis striatus Classopollis tetradenverband Classopollis torosus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae inside Coniferae. Abundant on the Lower Jurassic of North and Southern Europe, represents pollen of medium to large arboreal plants, specially coniferales. The abundance of pollen of Classopollis and other thermophile plants was observed in this region in the lower Toarcian from the end of the antiquum (= tenuicostatum) zone to the middle of commune zone.
Circumpollis	Circumpollis pharisaeus Circumpollis philosophus	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae inside Coniferae. Pollen of medium to large arboreal plants, specially coniferales.
Disaccites	Disaccites grandis	Grimmen Mistelgau Niedersachsen Schandelah	All the levels	Pollen	Affinities with Podocarpaceae inside Pinopsida. Pollen From arbustive to arboreal plants	Extant Afrocarpus Cone, example of the Podocarpaceae. Disaccites is similar to the pollen found on this genus

Equisetaceae

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Equisetites	Equisetites cf. muensteri Equisetites cf. columnaris Equisetites sp.	Kerkhofen Holzmaden Ohmden Niedersachsen Schandelah	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Stems	Affinities with Equisetaceae inside Equisetopsida. Number of mostly very fragmented and not particularly well preserved, but clear horsetail remains described. So far recognizable, leaf sheaths where developed in most cases, but the state of preservation does not allow a more precise determination.
Neocalamites	Neocalamites merianii	Altdorf Holzmaden Ohmden Kerkhofen Niedersachsen Schandelah Bascharange	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Stems and incomplete axes	Affinities with Equisetaceae inside Equisetopsida. Neocalamites is the most common more distributed of all the Posidonia Shale, being even found on Luxembourg Posidonia Strata. Mostly of the Stems reported come from Aeolian-Dunar related deposits, or from nearshore-basinal deposition. Probably was related to the seashore. Some stems are big, resembling the rates of growth seen on modern Bamboo specimens, suggesting +6–7 m tall Equisetopsids.	Neocalamites merianii specimen
Palaeostachya?	Palaeostachya? sp.	Dotternhausen	Tenuicostatum	Pollen Cones	Affinities with Calamitaceae inside Equisetopsida. It was an approximately 2–3 m high shrub-like plant related to swamp environments. Calamitaceans are common in late Palaeozoic wetland plant communities, so the find of a jurassic specimen is rare. Maybe is a mistaken new genera of Pollen cone, but definitely come from an Equisetalean. This genus is found associated with Annularia, being both part of the Calamites plant. It can be related with the Equisetites stems found on the formation.	Palaeostachya drawing of a specimen

Pteridospermatophyta

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Pachypteris	Pachypteris nordenskioeldii	Braunschweig	Falciferum	One specimen of pteridosperm frond.	Affinities with Umkomasiaceae inside Corystospermaceae. Is based on bipinnate leaves, rachis longitudinally striated, with a long petiole and secondary rachises. It belongs to large tree ferns. Posidonia Shale Specimen is characterized for its large size and probably where attached to trunks similar in built to the Cretaceous genus Tempskya.	The only Pachypteris specimen know from the Posidonia Shale

Cycadeoidophyta

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Otozamites	Otozamites gracilis Otozamites bechei	Banz Holzmaden Ohmden	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Leaflets	Affinities with Cycadeoidaceae inside Bennettitales. It is the most abundant medium-sized plant on the environment. Found specially on seashore depositional settings, but also on deltaic and lagoonar environments. It was a low arbustive-arboreal Bennetite related to arid environments, with a leave similar of that of the modern genus Encephalartos, specially Encephalartos munchii, but also Dioon mejiae. Otozamites has been considered synonym with Otopteris, but since the 1990s everybody used the name Otozamites, and Otopteris was forgotten.	Otozamites gracilis specimen from the Posidonia Shale
Pterophyllum	Pterophyllum acutifolium	Banz Holzmaden Altdorf	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Leaflets	Affinities with Cycadeoidaceae inside Bennettitales. This Bennettitalean is related to Shrub built. Some specimens were assigned to Dioonites acutifolium (Junior synonym). Consits on leaves with pinnate, leaflets perpendicular or oblique to the rhachis, on the top of the leaf axis. It comes from fragments of fairly large fronds. In its external form it closely follows the modern genus Dioon, only the leaflets are of our kind wider and shorter, they are further apart, but the tendency to rhachis is the same.	Pterophyllum fossil
Ptilophyllum	Ptilophyllum gracilis Ptilophyllum sp.	Banz Ohmden Holzmaden	Tenuicostatum Kerkhofen Falciferum Bifrons	Leaflets	Affinities with Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. Arboreal Cycadaceans, some with the presence of flower-like structures. It resembles the leaf of the modern Microcycas calocoma, and probably had a similar arboreal built, being the leave of tall Bennetite trees such as Bucklandia, found on the middle jurassic of England.	Ptilophyllum sp. specimen from the Posidonia Shale
Zamites	Zamites mandelslohi Zamites oblongifolius	Banz Irlbach Holzmaden Altdorf	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Leaflets	A member of Williamsoniaceae inside Bennettitales. It has been interpreted as a cycad in the family Cycadaceae or a Bennettitalean plant. Leaflets somewhat removed, oval-oblong, a little narrower near the base, rounded at the tip, nerves partially diverging from the base towards the edge. It was assigned to Pterophyllum oblongifolium and on the genus Glossozamites. This genus was the leaf of arboreal Bennetites, similar in appearance to the modern Encephalartos woodii.	Zamites mandelslohi specimen

Ginkgoales

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Baiera	Baiera furcata	Schandelah Ohmden Holzmaden	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Leave Compressions	Affinities with Ginkgoaceae inside Ginkgoales. Various leaves are known from Ohmden, coming from marine deposits and where identified as Ginko digitata, identified originally as the only Ginko specimen reported on the Posidonia Shale. In the Posidonia Shale of southern and northern Germany, there are regular remains of coal, which are initially reminiscent of small Ginkgo leaves. The leaves are hard to identify, more or less regularly concentric structures, as they sometimes appear like the coarse fruiting bodies of wood-dwelling fungi, such as the genus Trametes.	Baiera reconstruction

Pinophyta

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Pagiophyllum	Pagiophyllum kurri Pagiophyllum araucarinum	Banz Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Schandelah	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fragmentary axis compressions with preserved leaves	Affinities with Araucariaceae or Cheirolepidiaceae inside Pinales. Pagiophyllum araucarinum predominates among the two types of leafy coniferous branches that have become known from the Posidonia. However, there is no indication whether this fact reflects their respective share in the vegetation of the delivery area. Cheirolepidiaceae Pollen is the most abundant and diverse found on the formation, what is correlated with the abundance of this genus. Other factor that puts local Pagiophyllum on Cheirolepidiaceae is the dominance of an arid climate, the preferred for this type of conifers.	Pagiophyllum kurri specimen from Banz
Brachyphyllum	Brachyphyllum sp.	Holzmaden	Tenuicostatum	Fragmentary axis	Affinities with Araucariaceae or Cheirolepidiaceae inside Pinales. Specimens whose spiral foliage of the branch, in which the individual leaves open about 2/3 of their length (without the tip) are fused with the branch they hold in their free part fits tightly, suggests belonging to the genus Brachyphyllum.
Hirmerella	cf. Hirmerella sp	Dotternhausen	Falciferum	Ovuliferous dwarf-shoots	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae. Is the type genus of this family, and is related with Arid Settings. Coming from The land-plant-taphocoenose from posidonia slate 3, is ready for processing.
Widdringtonites	Widdringtonites liasicus	Banz Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fragmentary axis compressions with preserved leaves	A possible ancestral member of the Callitroideae inside Cupressaceae. Was originally related to the genus "Quasisequoia" couttsiae, as a sister taxa to Sequoia jeholensis. The leaves of this genus however resemble the modern African conifer Widdringtonia. There studies suggesting affinities with large modern redwoods or with the modern genus Fitzroya cupressoides. But both Genera are related with relatively humid ecosystems, while Widdringtonites is known from an Arid setting, like Widdringtonia, so relationships with this last one are more probably.	Widdringtonites liasinus specimen from the Posidonia Shale

Fossil Wood

Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Taxodioxylon	cf. Taxodioxylon	Altdorf Korbach Niedersachsen Banz Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with the Taxodioideae family inside Cupressaceae. Resembles the modern genus Cryptomeria, but others resemble the southern genus Fitzroya, from the family Callitroideae. Large trees probably related to the coastal settings.
Cupressinoxylon	Cupressinoxylon sp.	Reutlingen Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Cupressaceae. Large wood with a morphology similar to the modern genus Sequoia sempervirens. Probably related to Widdringtonites liasinus, representing the earliest representatives of the Sequoia tribe.
Circoporoxylon	Circoporoxylon grandiporosum	GroßGschaidt near Erlangen	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Podocarpaceae. It shares characters with modern Sciadopitys, Microcachrys, Dacrydium and Acmopyle.
Podocarpoxylon	Podocarpoxylon sp. cf. Podocarpoxylon sp.	"Georg-Friedrich" mine not far from Liebenberg near Grauhof in the Harz foreland Wenzen between Einbeck and Alfeld Mistelgau Altdorf	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil Wood	Affinities with Podocarpaceae, resembling modern genera such as Dacrycarpus, with other specimens resembling Juniperus. Includes wood more related to nearshore arbustive Conifers (columnar or low-spreading Shrubs with long, trailing branches), being the most abundant, but also medium to large arboreal conifers from nearshore forests.	Podocarpoxylon specimen
Phyllocladoxylon	Phyllocladoxylon sp.	Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Altdorf	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Podocarpaceae. Similar to the modern Phyllocladus aspleniifolius.
Protophyllocladoxylon	Protophyllocladoxylon franconicum	Kerkhofen Altdorf Meilenhofen Dörlbach	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Podocarpaceae. Resembles the modern Phyllocladus hypophyllus.	Bivalves added to a Protophyllocladoxylon driftwood
Araucarioxylon	cf. Araucarioxylon	Dotternhausen Ohmden Holzmaden	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood.	Affinities with Araucariaceae. The largest known rafting wood on the fossil record is assigned to this genus, with a length of 18 m. The rafts were populated with Crinoid colonies, and a wide variety of organisms.	Araucarioxylon reconstruccion
Protocupressinoxylon	Protocupressinoxylon catenatum Protocupressinoxylon liasinum	Mistlegau Kerkhofen Altdorf Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae. Includes large sized trunks up to 1.7 m tall and 115 cm wide. Large medium to large sized trees (25 m) that extent along the coastal lines of the Vindelician land. The wood from tose trunks shows insect activity, such as wood Vasps and Beetles, that had been found on the Posidonia Shale.	Protocupressinoxylon catenatum specimen from Irlbach
Simplicioxylon	Simplicioxylon wurtembergicum Simplicioxylon cf.hungaricum	Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Ohmden Altdorf	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Cheirolepidiaceae
"Protopinaceae"	Protopinaceae sp.	Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Dubious genera with possible affinities with the triassic wood Woodworthia. Protopinaceae is an invalid group of mostly Paleozoic Woods.	Woodworthia, example of Protopinaceae
Xenoxylon	Xenoxylon cf. barberi Xenoxylon ellipticum	Taught near Hanover Dörnten not far from Liebenburg, district of Goslar	Tenuicostatum Falciferum Bifrons	Fossil wood	Affinities with Coniferales, concretely is closer to the Podocarpaceae, Cupressaceae and in a lesser extend to the Cheirolepidiaceae. Finally can be a member of the extinct family Miroviaceae. It is the more abundant genus of wood present on the Bohemian Realm of the Posidonia Shale.

Invertebrata

Ichnofossils

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Thalassinoides	Thalassinoides sp.	Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Altdorf Banz Hemmikon Maurach	Burrowing and track ichnofossils	Burrow-like ichnofossils, that can be related to Crustaceans, Annelids and Fishes. The presence of this burrows changed along the different depositional layers, interpreted as result of relative magnitudes and durations of a series oxygenation events. Increased Oxygen conditions eventually led to a level that permitted both the survival of larger Chondrites and Thalassinoides producing organisms, as well the depth of the Burrow-like structures. The changes on the layers are detailed enough to know that oxygenation-change events duration was sufficient to allowe the migration and establishment of trace-producing organisms, establishing an "equilibrium" with bottom-water oxygen conditions.	Thalassinoides found on the Posidonia Shale.
Chondrites	Chondrites bollensis	Banz Aichelberg Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Burrowing and track ichnofossils	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Interpreted as the feeding burrow of a sediment-ingesting animal. A more recent study has find that Scoloplos armiger and Heteromastus filiformis, occurring in the German Wadden Sea in the lower parts of tidal flats, make burrows that are homonymous with numerous trace fossils of the ichnogenus. Chondrites burrows from Holzmaden are mostly filled with granular Calcite crystals, clay minerals, and rare framboidal Pyrite. The local dysoxic seawater is reflected on the palaeoredox conditions, relating framboidal pyrite and biogenic processes. Chondrites appear to be capable of colonizing environments characterized by oxygen levels well below levels needed for survival of other animals, being considered a “extremotolerant” ichnotaxon.	Illustration of Chondrites bollensis
Phymatoderma	Phymatoderma granulata	Banz Altdorf Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. It consists commonly on a subhorizontal branching burrow system consisting of radiating tunnels filled with fecal pellets. It has been interpreted as a product made by an Endobenthic deposit-feeding animal, specially a Fodinichnia, burrows produced by benthonic subsurface food-mining activity, as is proved by the tunnels and pelletal infill. The study of the Fecal Pellets has revelated that the maker of this ichnogenus was an epicontinental shelf setting non-selective deposit feeder, ingesting particles on the sediment surface without selection. A mode of feeding common on aquatic Benthos, reported on modern animals such as Spionid Polychaete worms, tropical Holothurians and Spatangoid urchins.
Zoophycos	Zoophycos sp.	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. It has been related to Echiuran annelids, but also from moving and feeding polychaete worms.	Example of Zoophycos fossil
Fucoides	Fucoides bollensis	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Considered an "Algae incertae sedis" fossil, it was recovered subdivided into 16 different groups, being in 1880 along certain ichnofossil genera, such as Cruziana with a massive nomenclatural complexity. Considered now a feeding burrow of a sediment-ingesting animal, sometimes synonymized with Chondrites.
Planolites	Planolites montanus Planolites beverleyensis	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. It is controversial, since is considered a strictly a junior synonym of Palaeophycus.	Example of Planolites fossil
Palaeophycus	Palaeophycus tubularis	Dotterhausen Irlbach	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Palaeophycus is considered related with Planolites, being a litoral fodichnia, probably from a Priapulidan.	Example of Palaeophycus fossil
Helminthopsis	Helminthopsis isp.	Irlbach	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. It is interpreted as a grazing trail or Fodinichnia, produced at shallow depth in sediment by Polychaetes and Priapulids.	Example of Helminthopsis fossil
Gyrochorte	Gyrochorte isp.	Irlbach	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Gyrochorte is interpreted as a result of active digging on the sediment by deposit-feeding worm-like animal, probably an Annelid or similar kinds of creatures, such as Crustaceans, Sea Urchins, nearshore fishes, etc.
Cylindrichnus	Cylindrichnus isp.	Altdorf Irlbach	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Cylindrichnus isp. was found only on seashore-related sections, and probably represents litoral Polychaete Burrows.
Asterosoma	Asterosoma ludwigae	Holzmaden Ohmden	Burrowing and track ichnofossils.	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Vertical or oblique complex trace fossil composed of a bunch of spindle-shaped structures and associated tubes, typical of a restricted environment (?estuarine/lagoonal).
Spongeliomorpha	Spongeliomorpha isp.	Holzmaden Dotterhausen Irlbach	Burrows and associated traces	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Spongeliomorpha is believed to come from the domicile of Crustaceans: Anomuras (Probably Eocarcinoidea) and Decapodans (Probably Glypheidae), created as they dig in a firm, semiconsolidated substrate.
Diplocraterion	Diplocraterion parallelum	Holzmaden Ohmden Altdorf Dotternhausen Irlbach	Burrows and associated traces	Burrow-like ichnofossils. Most Diplocraterion show only protrusive spreit, like the local ones, produced under predominantly erosive conditions where the organism was constantly burrowing deeper into the substrate as sediment was eroded from the top. It can be Made by Crustaceans, Annelids or other benthic fauna.	Diplocraterion parallelum diagram

Anthozoa

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Thecocyathus	Thecocyathus mitrae Thecocyathus tintinabulum Thecocyathus mactra	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Irlbach Maurach Hemmikon Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Polyps	A stone cora of the family Caryophylliidae inside Hexacorallia. Related to shallow waters, this genus is the main coral found on the Posidonia Shale, resembling the modern Polycyathus muellerae. Its fossils are related with near-land facies, Coralline Islands and relatively small landmases shuch as the Bohemian Massif.	Thecocyathus mitrae from Banz

Porifera

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Cribrospongia	Cribrospongia (Tremadictyon) rugatum	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen Hemmikon	Specimens	A sea sponge of the family Cribrospongiidae inside Sceptrulophora. Found on Shallow and basinal waters, some specimens get 22 cm wide, with a funnel-like morphology. It is relatively common on nearshore strata, but generally rare.	Cribrospongia specimen
Stauroderma	Stauroderma lochensis Stauroderma sp.	Aichelberg Dotternhausen	Specimens	A sea sponge (Glass sponge) of the family Staurodermatidae inside Hexactinellida. Found only on depth Basinal deposits, with a funnel like morphology attaining a diameter of at least 15 cm, with the exception of a large specimen of 30 cm diameter found on Dotternhausen.	Stauroderma, a 30 cm diameter specimen from Dotternhausen

Annelida

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Serpula?	Serpula sp.	Banz Aichelberg Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae. Its affinities with the genus Serpula are controversial, since the genus is known mostly since Creataceus strata. Although there are other fossils assigned to the genus on same age deposits of France.	Head of a modern Serpula vermicularis
Filogranula	Filogranula tricristata	Banz Aichelberg Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae
Tetraserpula	Tetraserpula quadrisulcata	Banz Aichelberg Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae.
Mucroserpula	Mucroserpula quinquecristata	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae. It show the characteristic features to live on soft mud ground.
Cementula	Cementula complanata	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae. It show the characteristic features to live on soft mud ground.
Pentaditrupa	Pentaditrupa quinquesulcata Pentaditrupa cylindracea	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae. Pentaditrupa managed to lie freely on the mud, as shows that its tube's curvature provides stability to its position.
Propomatoceros	Propomatoceros segmentata	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon	Multiple Specimens.	A sessile, marine annelid tube worm of the family Serpulidae. Denominated "Serpula" segmentata, it lacks the two longitudinal edges characteristic on Mucroserpula.
Glomerula	Glomerula plexus	Banz Altdorf Dotternhausen	Multiple Specimens.	A polychaete worm of the family Sabellidae.	Example of Glomerula specimen
Dictyothylakos	Dictyothylakos pesslerae Dictyothylakos sp.	Irlbach	Leech cocoons	Hirudinea cocoons, identified with palynological residues. The cocoons Dictyothylakos are common on flooded basin sediments, and implies not only the presence of parasitic leeches, but also the presence of large hosts nearby.	Example of Leech Cocoon

Mollusca

Brachiopoda

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Gibbirynchia	Gibbirynchia amalthei	All the Formation	Shells	A pennospiriferinid rhynchonellatan.
Discina	Discina papyracea	All the Formation	Shells	A Discinidae rhynchonellatan. This genus was found had a planktotrophic larval stage, that adapted while growing to the local redox boundary, when this fluctuated near the sediment–water interface and oxygen availability prevailed, allowing benthic colonization. Is found on associations with Grammatodon and Pseudomytiloides.
Lingula	Lingula ovalis	All the Formation	Shells	A Lingulidae rhynchonellatan. Associations of bioturbation infauna are dominated on certain sections by Palaeonucula/Lingula agrupations, developed under longer-term oxygenated conditions within the substrate and bottom waters.
Rhynchonella	Rhynchonella amalthei Rhynchonella contraria Rhynchonella batalleri Rhynchonella rimosa Rhynchonella bouchardi Rhynchonella jurensis	All the Formation	Shells	A Rhynchonellidae rhynchonellatan. Found associated with Plicatula on long-term well-oxygenated conditions within the substrate and bottom waters.

Bivalvia

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Meleagrinella	Meleagrinella substriata	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	An oxytomid scallop.	Colony of specimens
Praearctotis	Praearctotis substriata Praearctotis sp.	Dörlbach, Ludwig Canal	Thousands of Specimens.	An oxytomid scallop. Found mostly on the "Dactylioceras-Monotis-Bank", a deposit derived from large scale tectonic events on the Bohemian coastline
Oxytoma	Oxytoma inequivalvis	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	An oxytomid scallop.
Chlamys	Chlamys textoria	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A pectinoid scallop.	Single specimen
Eopecten	Eopecten velatus	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A pectinoid scallop.
Propeamussium	Propeamussium nonarium Propeamusium pumilus	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A propeamussiid mud scallop.	Various specimens on the same rock
Plicatula	Plicatula spinosa	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A plicatulid mud scallop.
Bositra	Bositra buchii	All the Formation	20.000 specimens/m2	A "posidoniid" ostreoidan. It is the type fossil of the Posidonia Shale. Originally it was named "Posidonia bronni", thought to be a new genus, and the strata was denominated the Posidonia layers after it. Years later it turned out to be a junior synonym of Bositra, and thus, it was reassigned. However, the name of the layers was retained. The habitat and mode of life of Bositra has been debated for more than a century. There have been different interpretations, such as a pseudoplanktonic organism, a benthic organism related to open marine floor, where it was the main inhabitant of the basinal settings, a free swimming mode of life filtering phytoplankton, and a hybrid mode, where it has a life cycle with holopelagic reproduction controlled by the change on Oxygen levels, and even a chemosymbiotic lifestile, related to the large crinoid rafts, being the main "Safe conduct" to evade anoxic events. All the opinions along the years led to a large study in 1998, where the size/frequency distribution, the density of growth thanks to the lines related to the shell size and the position of the redox boundary by total organic carbon diagrams has revealed that Bositra probably had a benthic mode of life.	Thousands of specimens in one matrix
Steinmannia	Steinmannia bronni Steinmannia radiata	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A "posidoniid" ostreoidan. Another Genera mistaken with "Posidonia bronni".	Various specimens in one matrix
Gervillella	Gervillella lanceolata	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A bakevelliid mud oyster.
Liostrea	Liostrea falcifera	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A gryphaeid mud oyster.	Various specimens
Gryphaea	Gryphaea arcuata	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A gryphaeid mud oyster.	Various specimens
Pseudomytiloides	Pseudomonotis substriata Pseudomytiloides dubius	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	An inoceramid clam. Being the second most common genera of Bivalve on the Formation, it had been object to several studies to find its ecological niche, like Bositra. Several opinions include a pseudoplanktonic-only organism, able to live in open sea, or a benthonic-only organism. On the 1998 evaluation with Bositra, was found that probably has a benthic early life that translated to a faculatively pseudoplanktonic mode of adult life.	Single specimen
Inoceramus	Inoceramus dubius Inoceramus amygdaloides	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	An inoceramid clam.	Thousands of specimens on a single rock
Nicaniella	Nicaniella (Nicaniella) pumila Nicaniella striatosulcata	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	An astartid clam.
Solemya	Solemya bollensis Solemya voltzi	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A Clam, type member of the family Solemyidae inside Solemyida.	Single specimen
Palaeonucula	Palaeonucula ungulella Palaeonucula aff. hammeri	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A nuculidae nut clam.
Cucullaea	Cucculea galathea	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A cucullaeid clam.
Mesomiltha	Mesomiltha pumila Mesomiltha pulchra	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A lucinid clam.
Goniomya	Goniomya rhombifera	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A pholadomyid clam.
Grammatodon	Grammatodon taylori Grammatodon jurianus	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A Grammatodontinae clam. This Genus had a lecithotrophic and planktotrophic larval development.
Unicardium	Unicardium bollense	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A mactromyid clam.
Pleuromya	Pleuromya costata Pleuromya ovata Pleuromya unioides Pleuromya uniformis	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A pleuromyid clam.	Pleuromya uniformis, two specimens
Plagiostoma	Plagiostoma giganteum	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A Limidae clam.	Plagiostoma giganteum, specimen multiview
Gibbirynchia	Gibbirynchia amalthei	All the Formation	Thousands of Specimens.	A pennospiriferinid rhynchonellatan.

Gastropoda

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Coelodiscus	Coelodiscus minutus	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Shells Larval Shells	A Coelodiscidae sea Snail. The is the oldest known holoplanktonic gastropod, thanks to a bilateral symmetrical shells as an adaption to active swimming. Also the most common of the sea snails of the Formation, it is also one of the most varied in size terms, with some of the biggest specimens of snail from the Lower Toarcian know. It has been related to large floating driftwood as one of the primary settlers.
Tatediscus	Tatediscus aratus	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Holzmaden Ohmden	Shells	A Coelodiscidae sea Snail. Possible holoplanktonic gastropod.
Procerithium	Procerithium brandi	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen	Shells	A Procerithiidae sea Snail.
Toarctocera	Toarctocera subpunctata	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen	Shells	An Aporrhaidae sea Snail. Among the latest described from the formation, is one of the earliest certain aporrhaidae. Characterised by large spines growing at the head of the cunch.
Cryptaulax	Cryptaulax armatum	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen	Shells	A Cryptaulacidae sea Snail.
Neritaria	Neritaria papilio	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Shells	A Neritariidae sea Snail.	Single specimen
Zygopleura	Zygopleura septemcincta	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Shells	A Zygopleuridae sea Snail.	Specimens
Levipleura	Levipleura blainvillei	Banz Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Hemmikon	Shells	A Zygopleuridae sea Snail.
Trochus	Trochus subduplicatus	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Hemmikon Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Shells	A Trochidae sea Snail.	Specimens
Tylotrochus	Tylotrochus subimbricatus	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Hemmikon	Shells	A Trochidae sea Snail. Characterised by a rhomboid scaly pattern on the teleoconch whorls.
Pleurotomaria	Pleurotomaria debuchii	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Shells	A Pleurotomariidae sea Snail.	Specimen
Ptychomphalus	Ptychomphalus expansus	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen	Shells	An Eotomariidae sea Snail.
Pterotrachea	Pterotrachea liassica Pterotrachea ceratophagus	Aldortf Mistelgau	Larval Shells	A Pterotracheidae sea Slug. Among the oldest pelagic floating Slugs, Pterotrachea liassica had a more extended larval period than modern extant Pterotrachea coronata, because one additional whorl is Present.	Modern Specimen

Cephalopoda

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Cenoceras	Cenoceras intermedium Cenoceras sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell	A Nautilidae Nautilidan. Includes the largest specimen of Cenoceras known, with 80 cm width. Two specimens, identified as Nautilus sp. from Holzmaden where found encrusted with Serpulids and Bryozoans.	Nautilidae shell from Banz, probably Cenoceras
Lytoceras	Lytoceras ceratophagum Lytoceras onychograptum Lytoceras cornucopia Lytoceras sublineatum Lytoceras germaini Lytoceras mucronatum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Irlbach Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell	A Lytoceratidae Ammonite. Lytoceras can get quite big, with nearly 50 cm in diameter.
Pachylytoceras	Pachylytoceras hircinum Pachylytoceras cf. hircinum Pachylytoceras torulosum Pachylytoceras wrighti Pachylytoceras dilucidum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell	A Lytoceratidae Ammonite.
Erycites	Erycites labrosus	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell	A Hammatoceratidae Ammonite.
Hammatoceras	Hammatoceras insigne Hammatoceras compressum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Irlbach	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell	A Hammatoceratidae Ammonite.	Hammatoceras
Grammoceras	Grammoceras thouarsense Grammoceras orhignyi Grammoceras doerntense Grammoceras dispatisum Grammoceras saemanni	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Irlbach Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.	Grammoceras specimen from Banz
Phlyseogrammoceras	Phlyseogrammoceras dispansum Phlyseogrammoceras cf. dispansiforme	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Pseudogrammoceras	Pseudogrammoceras bingmanni	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Hudlestonia	Hudlestonia serrodens Hudlestonia affinis	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Catulloceras	Catulloceras dumortieri	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Cotteswoldia	Cotteswoldia distans Cotteswoldia lotharingica Cotteswoldia mactra Cotteswoldia subcompta Cotteswoldia fluitans	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragments of Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Harpoceras	Harpoceras falciferum Harpoceras nitescens	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell Soft Tissue Beaks	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.	Harpoceras specimen
Tiltoniceras	Tiltoniceras antiquum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Irlbach Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.	Tiltoniceras specimen
Hildoceras	Hildoceras levisoni Hildoceras serpentinum Hildoceras semipolitum Hildoceras bifrons	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Irlbach Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragmentary Shells Beaks Soft Tissue	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.	Hildoceras specimen
Mercaticeras	Mercaticeras forte	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.	Mercaticeras specimen
Eleganticeras	Eleganticeras exaratum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Pseudolioceras	Pseudolioceras compactile Pseudolioceras discoides	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen	Complete Shells	A Hildoceratidae Ammonite.
Dactylioceras	Dactylioceras semiannulatum Dactylioceras vermis Dactylioceras athleticum Dactylioceras annulatum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Irlbach Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragmentary Shells Isolated Fragments Beaks Ammonite "Pearls" Beaks Apitchen	A Dactylioceratidae Ammonite.	Dactylioceras commune on Holzmaden
Collina	Collina mucronata	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen	Complete Shells	A Dactylioceratidae Ammonite. Is common on the bituminous marls (incorrectly designated as “Wilder Schiefer”) of the Altdorf High.
Catacoeloceras	Catacoeloceras crassum Catacoeloceras raquinianum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen	Complete Shells	A Dactylioceratidae Ammonite.
Coeloceras	Coeloceras crassum Coeloceras mucronatum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragments of Shell	Type Coeloceratidae Ammonite.
Phylloceras	Phylloceras heterophyllum Phylloceras supraliasicum	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Shells Fragments of Shells Beaks Soft Tissue	A Phylloceratidae Ammonite. The largest ammonite found in the Posidonienschiefer comes from the Ohmden quarry,and belongs to a Phylloceras heterophyllum with a diameter of 87 cm.	Phylloceras restoration
Haugia	Haugia variabilis Haugia illustris Haugia jugosa	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Irlbach	Complete Shells	A Phymatoceratidae Ammonite.
Denckmannia	Denckmannia malagma	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau	Complete Shells	A Phymatoceratidae Ammonite.
Phymatoceras	Phymatoceras lilli	Dudelange-Zoufftgen	Complete Shells	A Phymatoceratidae Ammonite.
Chitinobelus	Chitinobelus acifer	Holzmaden Ohmden	Rostrum Phragmocone Tissue Impressions	A Belemnotheutidae Belemnite. Chitinobelus is an extrange fossil, sice the rostrum was composed of aragonite with organic material, while normal Belemnites had calcite. Has been suggested this rostrum was calcitic.
Chondroteuthis	Chondroteuthis wunnenbergi	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones Isolated Rostrum Tissue Impressions	A Belemnotheutidae Belemnite.
Simpsonibelus	Simpsonibelus dorsalis Simpsonibelus lentus	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones Isolated TRostrum Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions	A Belemnotheutidae Belemnite.
Acrocoelites	Acrocoelites ilminstrensis Acrocoelites pyramidalis Acrocoelites glaber Acrocoelites cf. riegrafi Acrocoelites levidensis Acrocoelites vulgaris Acrocoelites tripartitus	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones Isolated Rostrums	A Megateuthididae Belemnite. Includes some of the Biggest Know Belemnites, with an estimated maximum up to 4.5 m long in life, although, most specimens would have been rather smaller.
Dactyloteuthis	Dactyloteuthis wrighti Dactyloteuthis digitalis Dactyloteuthis semistriata Dactyloteuthis irregularis Dactyloteuthis similis Dactyloteuthis incurvata	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones Isolated Rostrums Soft Tissue Impressions	A Megateuthididae Belemnite.
Youngibelus	Youngibelus giganteus Youngibelus ohmdenensis Youngibelus simpsoni	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones Isolated Rosturms	A Megateuthididae Belemnite. Includes really large specimens	Youngibelus Reconstruction
Passaloteuthis	Passaloteuthis paxillosa Passaloteuthis bisulcata	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones	A Passaloteuthididae Belemnite.	Passaloteuthis Holzmaden specimen
Salpingoteuthis	Salpingoteuthis trisulcata Salpingoteuthis bauhini Salpingoteuthis longisulcata Salpingoteuthis macra Salpingoteuthis tessoniana Salpingoteuthis dorsetiensis Salpingoteuthis blomenhofensis	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Isolated Phragmocones	A Salpingoteuthididae Belemnite.	Salpingoteuthis specimen
Loligosepia	Loligosepia aalensis Loligosepia sp.	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Schömberg Bachhausen Schandelah Aselfingen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Complete Arm Crown Phospatilized Musculature Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Organ Traces Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladius Isolated Hooks	A Loligosepiidae Loligosepiidan (Vampyromorpha). The Loligosepiidae is believed to be ancestral to the Recent vampire squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis. Hooklets in the food residues in the posterior mantle indicate that Loligosepia preyed upon belemnites.	Loligosepia Holzmaden specimen
Jeletzkyteuthis	Jeletzkyteuthis coriaceus	Holzmaden Ohmden Banz Dotternhausen	Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladius	A Loligosepiidae Loligosepiidan (Vampyromorpha). Related to the modern Vampyroteuthis infernalis. Gladii of Loligosepia can be distinguished from Jeletzkyteuthis by the transition lateral field/hyperbolar zone.
Geopeltis	Geopeltis simplex Geopeltis emarginata	Holzmaden Ohmden Banz	Partial Specimens Isolated Gladius Ink Sac Impressions	A Geopeltidae Loligosepiidan (Vampyromorpha). Related to the modern Vampyroteuthis infernalis. Gladius with weakly arcuated hyperbolar zones.	Geopeltis specimen
Parabelopeltis	Parabelopeltis flexuosa	Holzmaden Ohmden Banz Altdorf	Partial Specimens Isolated Gladius Ink Sac Impressions Hook Impressions	A Geopeltidae Loligosepiidan (Vampyromorpha). Related to the modern Vampyroteuthis infernalis. It is distinguished from Geoteuthis and Loligosepia by its median rib: this rib forms a narrow ridge between two narrow grooves.
Paraplesioteuthis	Paraplesioteuthis sagittata Paraplesioteuthis hastata	Holzmaden Ohmden Banz Altdorf	Partial Specimen Isolated Gladius	A Plesioteuthididae Prototeuthidinan (Vampyromorpha). was originally described as "Geoteuthis" sagittata.
Clarkeiteuthis	Clarkeiteuthis conocauda	Banz Aichelberg Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii	A Diplobelidae Coleoidean. It has been found adult individuals of Clarkeiteuthis which caught small teleost fish of the species Leptolepis bronni. Further indirect evidence for the hunting behaviour comes from their body orientation in the water during life.	Clarkeiteuthis Holzmaden specimen
Odontobelus	Odontobelus tripartitus	Banz Schandelah Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii	A Diplobelidae Coleoidean. Has been confused with Acrocoelites tripartitus, hence the species name.
Belotheutis	Belotheutis subcostata	Schandelah Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii Isolated Rostrums	A Diplobelidae Coleoidean. Some specimens belong to Clarkeiteuthis (=Phragmoteuthis) conocauda, but others are clearly different.
Sueviteuthis	Sueviteuthis schlierbachensis Sueviteuthis zellensis	Banz Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii Isolated Rostrums	A Sueviteuthididae Coleoidean. Sueviteuthis had at least six arms with rather simple hooks, similar to the present of the genus Phragmoteuthis.
Lioteuthis	Lioteuthis problematica	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii Isolated Rostrums	Type member of the Lioteuthididae Squid family. The taxonomic position of Lioteuthis is uncertain, although the wings reaching the proximal gladius section and the smooth median field suggest affinity to the Prototeuthididae
Teudopsis	Teudopsis bollensis Teudopsis subcostata Teudopsis schubleri	Banz Aichelberg Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii Isolated Rostrums	A Teudopseina Squid.	Teudopsis Ohmden specimen
Geotheutis	Geotheutis bollensis	Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Schandelah	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Hook Impressions Ink Sacs Melanosome Impressions Isolated Gladii Isolated Rostrums	A possible primigenial Cuttlefish. Is one of the most important fossils of Cephalopods on the Posidonia Shale, due to be one of the Earliest examples of Pigments found on any species, also one of the first historically. The pigments are preserved on various specimens with Eumelanin related to its ink sacs and include even phosphatized musculature.

Arthropoda

Cycloidea

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Juracyclus	Juracyclus posidoniae	Tübingen	Partial Specimens.	The First Cycloid Arthropod from the Jurassic, from the family Cycloidae inside Cycloidea. Cycloids are a group of maxillopod arthropods that span between the Paleozoic until the latest Cretaceous, probably related to the crustaceans and probably detritivores.

Ostracoda

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Infracytheropteron	Infracytheropteron groissi Infracytheropteron rarum	Unterstürmig Dotternhausen	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Protostomia. The specimens of this genus are rather fargmentary and of uncertain nature.
Ogmoconcha	Ogmoconcha rotunda Ogmoconcha ambo Ogmoconcha sp.	Unterstürmig	Cunchs	A marine Ostracodan, member of the family Healdiidae inside Podocopida. Rather abundant on the Toarcian profiles on Europe, this genus has a Mussel-like shape, with a very clean and round morphology.
Hermiella	Hermiella cincta Hermiella comes Hermiella klingleri	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Healdiidae inside Podocopida. This genus is the main reported on the marine facies of the Dobbertin Clay Pit.
Ogmoconchella	Ogmoconchella impressa Ogmoconchella propinqua	Unterstürmig	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Healdiidae inside Podocopida. This genus is the main reported on the marine facies of the Dobbertin Clay Pit.
Pseudohealdia	Pseudohealdia gruendeli Pseudohealdia truncata	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Healdiidae inside Podocopida. The genus is rare on the layers.
Kinkelinella	Kinkelinella procera Kinkelinella costata	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Protocytheridae inside Podocopida. A genus related with Fish fossils and anoxic bottoms.
Praeschuleridea	Praeschuleridea gallemannica Praeschuleridea aspera	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Praeschuleridea inside Podocopida.
Eucytherura	Eucytherura angulocostata	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Cytheruridae inside Podocopida. Is rare and the specimens found are rather incomplete.
Polycope	Polycope tenuireticulata Polycope pelta	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Polycopidae inside Cladocopina. Scarce but well preserved specimens.
Cytherella	Cytherella praecadomensis	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Cytherellidae inside Platycopida.
Bairdia	Bairdia ohmerti Bairdia thuringica	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Bairdiidae inside Bairdioidea. Abundant and diverse, is found associated with Ammonite shells.
Bairdiacypris	Bairdiacypris dorisae	Württenberg	Cunchs	A Marine Ostracodan of the family Bairdiidae inside Bairdioidea.

Malacostraca

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Palaeopagurus	Palaeopagurus sp.	Holzmaden	Single Specimen inside an Ammonite Shell.	An hermit crab of the family Paguridae.
Mecochirus	Mecochirus eckerti	Langenbrücken	Complete Specimens	A Decapodan of the family Mecochiridae.
Uncina	Uncina posidoniae	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Banz Mistlegau Altdorf	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Calcified Musculature Isolated Thorax Isolated Chelae	An Astacidea Decapodan of the family Uncinidae. Reaching large sizes of almost half a meter (39–47 cm), Uncina Posidoniae is among the largest known Jurassic Crustaceans. Uncina posidoniae is also the largest representative of the genus Uncina. This large crustacean has been found associated with Ammonite and Bivalve filled Bentos, where probably hunted different kinds of prey. Its large claws would have been perfect to hunt small invertebrates and vertebrates.	Uncina posidoniae specimen The Largest complete Uncina posidoniae specimen, with 44 cm long.
Tonneleryon	Tonneleryon schweigerti	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Associated Partial & Complete Specimens	A gregarious Polychelidan Lobster. Specimens of Tonneleryon schweigerti where recovered generally in cluster of several individuals, a characteristic unique to this species on the whole Polychelida group. The specimens in these accumulations are of similar size, lacking characters of exuviae such as a split median line or disjunction of carapace and first pleonite. Due to that and the disposition of the specimens probably represent a mass-mortality assemblage and suggest this species was gregarious.
Proeryon	Proeryon giganteus Proeryon hauffi Proeryon hartmanni Proeryon laticaudatus	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Banz Mistlegau Schandelah Altdorf	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Calcified Musculature Isolated Thorax Isolated Chelae	A Coleiidae Decapodan. The largest Coeloid from the formation, P. giganteus is a species reaching a larger size than most other polychelidans, with up to 15 cm. On the Posidonia Shale there is the most abundant variety of species from the genus, ranging from different sizes and morphologies, that indicate different habitat & feeding adaptations on the genus. Some like P. hartmani show less adaptations to hunt for small nectobenthic preys than other relatives, being abundant on Oyster-filled waters. There is a relatively abundance of the genus in deep-water settings from the Toarcian onward.	Proeryon hartmanni specimen from Banz Proeryon sp. specimen from Schandelah
Antrimpos	Antrimpos sp. cf. Antrimpos sp.	Schandelah	Partial Specimens.	A Penaeidae Decapodan.	Antrimpos specimen
Penaeus	Penaeus sp.	Schandelah	Partial Specimens.	A Penaeidae Decapodan.
Acanthochirana	Acanthochirana krausei	Dörnten, north of Goslar, opencast mine Fischerköpfe	4 specimens in lateral position 1 in dorsal position	An Aegeridae Decapodan.
Palaeastacus	Palaeastacus sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Partial Specimens.	An Erymidae Decapodan.	Palaeastacus specimen
Coleia	Coleia theodorii Coleia moorei Coleia sinuata	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Banz	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Tissue Impressions Calcified Musculature Isolated Thorax Isolated Chelae Specimens inside ammonites shells	An Erymidae Decapodan.
Eryma	Eryma amalthei Eryma sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Banz	Complete Specimens	Type genus of the Erymidae Decapodan family. Originally, was named Glyphea amalthei,informally used by Quenstedt and housed on the Museum Naturkunde in Württemberg. A series of posterior revisions probe it was a different genus.	Eryma specimen
Stenodactylina	Stenodactylina liasina	Holzmaden	Single Chela	An Erymidae Decapodan. It was erroneously reported from the Late Toarcian, as was founf on bituminous limestone on the Unterer Stein it is clear it´s provenance from the Posidonia Shale.
Achelata	Achelata gen. et sp. indet.	Gomaringen	Single complete specimen in late larval stage	The specimen reported represents the oldest fossil record of an achelatan lobster larva, and the first representative of achelatan lobsters in the Posidinia Shale. Shares similarities with the late Jurassic genus Cancrinos. It is also the first example among crustaceans, which possibly could have lived as part of the plankton.	California spiny lobsters are relatives of the Larval specimen from the Posidonia Shale
Stomatopoda	Stomatopoda Indeterminate	Holzmaden	Single Incomplete Specimen	A Stomatopoda Malacostracan. Its affinities haven't been tested.	A female Odontodactylus Scyllarus mantis shrimp, maybe related to the Posidonia Specimen

Thoracica

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Toarcolepas	Toarcolepas mutans	Aichelberg	Numerous disarticulated individuals, associated with fossil wood.	A phosphatic-shelled Cirripede of the family Eolepadidae. Toarcolepas is provisionally interpreted as the oldest epiplanktonic cirripede known, and is thought to have lived attached to floating driftwood.	Modern genus Lepas is the most related taxa to Toarcolepas

Arachnida

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Liassoscorpionides	Liassoscorpionides schmidti	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Single Incomplete Specimen.	The type genus of the family Liassoscorpionididae, probably related to Mesophonoidea. Being the only Jurassic scorpion known, there is no evidence that L. schmidti was aquatic (which was suggested in the past) and in the absence of further, better preserved material it should be excluded from future considerations of broad patterns of scorpion evolution.	File:Liassoscorpionides schmidti (Version 2).jpg Speculative Reconstruction

Insecta

Insects are a common terrestrial animals that were probably washed into the sea due to monsoon conditions present on the Posidonia Shale.

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Agmatozoon	Agmatozoon articulatum	Grassel, Braunschweig	Incomplete Specimens	Uncertain Affinity Insects, whose remains are scarce to allow an assignation to a concrete family. Also Includes insects with characters never seen in other families and genera.
Campeulites	Campeulites cylindricus	Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans)
Tomeferusa	Tomeferusa abdita	Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans)
Trimerocephalium	Trimerocephalium incisum	Grassel, Braunschweig
Dimeretes	Dimeretes oculatus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Elasmoscolex	Elasmoscolex hamatus	Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans)
Epimetrophora	Epimetrophora recta	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Oocephalina	Oocephalina mutilata	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Platycorion	Platycorion utroquelaesum	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Griphoconion	Griphoconion tenuistriatum	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Cricolia	Cricolia inflexa	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Geinitzia	Geinitzia latrunculorum Geinitzia varia Geinitzia superaucta Geinitzia perlaesa Geinitzia fasciata Geinitzia dorni	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Beienrode, Fletchtorf Grassel, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	Gryllones (Extinct clade of Basal Insects) of the family Geinitziidae.
Roemerula	Roemerula maculosa	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Dorniella	Dorniella pulchra	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Beienrode, Fletchtorf Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)	Isolated Wings	An Eoblattidan of the family Blattogryllidae.
Protomyrmeleon	Protomyrmeleon grasselensis Protomyrmeleon brunonis	Grassel, Braunschweig Bascharage	Specimens	A Odonatopteran (ancient winged insects) from the family Protomyrmeleontidae.
Liassostenophlebia	Liassostenophlebia germanica	Rhine-Danube canal, Km 112	Isolated Wings	A Indeterminate Family dragonfly. Dragonflies non assiganted to a concrete family due to the incomplete or fragmentary nature of it´s remains.
Syrrhoe	Syrrhoe commissa	Grassel, Braunschweig
Heterophlebia	Heterophlebia buckmani	Holzmaden Beienrode Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Hattorf, Fallersleben Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Siemensi) Bascharage	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	A dragonfly of the family Heterophlebiidae. Heterophlebia is a relative abundant Genus, present on most of the pits of the Posidonia Shale, even on Holzmaden. Heterothemis is the second most distributed insect on the formation.
Plagiophlebia	Plagiophlebia praecostarea	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Boreale) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Heterothemis	Heterothemis brodiei	Holzmaden Schandelah Beienrode Hondelage, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.) Hemmikon Bascharage
Phthitogomphus	Phthitogomphus angulatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Luxguard quarry	Isolated Wings	A dragonfly of the family Liassogomphidae.
Proinogomphus	Proinogomphus bodei Proinogomphus kreuzerorum	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben Hattorf, Fallersleben (Boreale) Bascharage (SMNS collection)
Necrogomphus	Necrogomphus brunswigae	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Boreale)
Elattogomphus	Elattogomphus latus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Sphenophlebia	Sphenophlebia interrupta Sphenophlebia pommerana	Hondelage, Braunschweig Kerkhofen	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	A dragonfly of the family Sphenophlebiidae. The Kerkhofen specimens of Sphenophlebia pommerana shows an almost complete dragonfly with head and abdomen as well the two pairs of wings that are partially on top of each other, consisting of fore and hind wings.
Ensphingophlebia	Ensphingophlebia undulata	Grassel, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Mesoepiophlebia	Mesoepiophlebia veronicae	Bascharage Sanem
Myopophlebia	Myopophlebia libera	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Beienrode Bascharage	Isolated Wings	A dragonfly of the family Myopophlebiidae.
Paraheterophlebia	Paraheterophlebia wunnenbergi Paraheterophlebia marcusi	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Flechtorf near Fallersleben Bascharage
Strongylogomphus	Strongylogomphus grasselianus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Bascharage
Paraplagiophlebia	Paraplagiophlebia loneuxi	Bascharage
Campterophlebia	Campterophlebia elegans	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Boreale)	Isolated Wings	A dragonfly of the family Campterophlebiidae. Campterophlebia is the largest Early Jurassic Insect Know, with a wings size up to 20 cm.
Gallodorsettia	Gallodorsettia kronzi	A13 motorway construction, south of Foetz
Henrotayia	Henrotayia marci	Bascharage	Isolated Wings	A dragonfly of the family Henrotayiidae.
Liadoblattina	Liadoblattina blakei	Holzmaden (Ansorge coll) Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	A cockroach of the family Raphidiomimidae.
Ptyctoblattina	Ptyctoblattina simplicior Ptyctoblattina dilatata	Grassel, Braunschweig Beienrode
Mesoblattina	Mesoblattina protypa	Mistelgau	Isolated Wings	A cockroach of the family Mesoblattinidae.
Caloblattina	Caloblattina mathildae	Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.) Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Beienrode, Fletchtorf	Isolated Wings	A cockroach of the family Caloblattinidae.
Blattula	Blattula langfeldti	Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)	Isolated Wings	A cockroach of the family Blattulidae.
Schesslitziella	Schesslitziella haupti Schesslitziella integra	Feuermühlenberg near Scheßlitz Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Bamberg Kerkhofen	Isolated Wings	A stick insect of the family Aerophasmidae. Schesslitziella is one of the described insects found more near the Bohemian Massif, where probably belong most of the terrestrial invertebrate fauna.
Chresmodella	Chresmodella fissa	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben (Boreale)
Liassogrylloides	Liassogrylloides basifastigatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	grasshoppers of uncertain Placement.
Prophilaenites	Prophilaenites hondelagensis	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Protogryllus	Protogryllus formosus Protogryllus hattorfensis Protogryllus praeacutus Protogryllus symmetricus Protogryllus multoramosus Protogryllus multovenosus Protogryllus laceratus Protogryllus foliolum Protogryllus implicatus Protogryllus fissus Protogryllus minor	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	A grasshopper of the family Protogryllidae.
Panorpidium	Panorpidium media Panorpidium geinitzi Panorpidium minima	Between Sehlde & Ringelheim Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Beienrode, Fletchtorf Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Zessin coll.) Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans)	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	A grasshopper of the family Elcanidae.
Acridiopsis	Acridiopsis spoliata	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Siemensi)	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	A short-horned grasshopper of the family Acrididae.
Locustopsis	Locustopsis procera Locustopsis bernstorffi Locustopsis maculosa Locustopsis sp.	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Zessin coll.) Schandelah (Krüger coll)	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	Grasshoppers of the family Locustopsidae.
Liadolocusta	Liadolocusta ornata	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Elasmoscelidium	Elasmoscelidium rectemarginatum Elasmoscelidium promotum Elasmoscelidium boreale	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.)	Isolated Wings	A Planthopper of uncertain placement.
Archijassus	Archijassus heeri	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)	Isolated Wings	A Planthopper of the family Archijassidae.
Fulgoridium	Fulgoridium mancomarginatum Fulgoridium semiperspicuum Fulgoridium cubitoramosum Fulgoridium cuneiforme Fulgoridium infuscatum Fulgoridium paulodilatatum Fulgoridium exiguemaculatum Fulgoridium reduncum Fulgoridium fallerslebense Fulgoridium hattorfense Fulgoridium gottingense Fulgoridium tenuimaculatum Fulgoridium incurvatum Fulgoridium praeobtusum Fulgoridium raromaculatum Fulgoridium cubitofurcatum Fulgoridium basilaesum Fulgoridium hondelanum Fulgoridium fabri Fulgoridium hildesheimense Fulgoridium symmetricum Fulgoridium latius Fulgoridium balticum Fulgoridium posidonicum Fulgoridium silvaticum	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Flechtorf near Fallersleben Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.) Trirneusel Staffelstein Pferdsfeld Aselfingen	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	Planthoppers of the family Fulgoridiidae.
Fulgoridulum	Fulgoridulum egens	Beienrode, Fletchtorf Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Procerofulgoridium	Procerofulgoridium verticillatum Procerofulgoridium praefastigatum	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Grassel, Braunschweig Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Tetrafulgoria	Tetrafulgoria parallelogramma	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig
Metafulgoridium	Metafulgoridium praetruncatum Metafulgoridium spatulaeforme	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Productofulgoridium	Productofulgoridium filiferum Productofulgoridium praeacutum	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Margaroptilon	Margaroptilon formosum Margaroptilon cuneatum Margaroptilon paucisinuatum Margaroptilon detruncatum Margaroptilon procerum	Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Compactofulgoridium	Compactofulgoridium fronterotundum Compactofulgoridium obesum Compactofulgoridium aries Compactofulgoridium decapitatum Compactofulgoridium concameratum Compactofulgoridium paenintegrum	Schlewecke am Harz Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig
Procercopis	Procercopis lacerata Procercopis abscissa Procercopis wunnenbergi	Beienrode, Fletchtorf Grassel, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Froghopper of the family Procercopidae.
Megalocoris	Megalocoris laticlavus	Grassel, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Shore bug (Saldidae) Of Uncertain Placement.
Eurynotis	Eurynotis incisus	Beienrode, Fletchtorf	Isolated Wings Complete Specimens Partial Specimens	A Shore bug (Saldidae) of the family Archegocimicidae.
Somatocoris	Somatocoris conservatus	Beienrode, Fletchtorf
Corynecoris	Corynecoris occultatus Corynecoris semigranulatus	Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Macropterocoris	Macropterocoris obtusus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Ophthalmocoris	Ophthalmocoris liassicus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Deraiocoris	Deraiocoris insculptus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Eogerridium	Eogerridium gracile	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Pronabis	Pronabis utroquelaesus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Entomecoris	Entomecoris minor Entomecoris morator	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Ensphingocoris	Ensphingocoris parvulus Ensphingocoris praerotundatus	Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben
Engynabis	Engynabis tenuis	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Apicasia	Apicasia inolata	Schlewecke am Harz	Elytrons Fragmentary Specimens	Beetles of Uncertain Placement inside Coleoptera. Diverse Beetle specimens that due to it´s preservation (Incomplete) or it´s morphological Traits aren´t assganted to any concrete family. The Abundance of Beetle Elytrons indicetes the proximity of terrestrial habitats.
Apiopyrenides	Apiopyrenides trigeminus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Auchenophorites	Auchenophorites sculpturatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Brachytrachelites	Brachytrachelites striatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Diatrypamene	Diachoristes collinus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Diatrypamene	Diatrypamene angulocollis Diatrypamene excavata	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Dicyphelus	Dicyphelus concameratus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Dicyphelus	Diphymation corrosum	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Diplothece	Diplothece scissa	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Entomocantharus	Entomocantharus convexus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Episcepes	Episcepes rotundatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Eurynotellus	Eurynotellus brevicollis	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Eurysphinctus	Eurysphinctus latesulcatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Eusarcantarus	Eusarcantarus compactus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Gastrodelus	Gastrodelus decapitatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Laimocenos	Laimocenos striatogranulatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Leptomites	Leptomites procerus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Loxocamarotus	Loxocamarotus virgatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Macrotrachelites	Macrotrachelites longus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Melanocantharis	Melanocantharis bicornuta	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Mesotylites	Mesotylites marginatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Ooidellus	Ooidellus denudatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Ooperiglyptus	Ooperiglyptus contractus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Opiselleipon	Opiselleipon gravis	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Oxycephalites	Oxycephalites curculioides	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Parnosoma	Parnosoma detectum	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Proheuristes	Proheuristes striatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Sphaericites	Sphaericites concameratus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Tetragonides	Tetragonides magnus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Trichelepturgetes	Trichelepturgetes procerus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Trochmalus	Trochmalus compressus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Pholipheron	Pholipheron articulatus Pholipheron armatus Pholipheron ovatus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Grasselites	Grasselites pusillus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Omogongylus	Omogongylus ovatus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Sideriosemion	Sideriosemion punctolineatum	Grassel, Braunschweig
Metanastes	Metanastes denudatus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Aptilotitus	Aptilotitus capitecarens	Grassel, Braunschweig
Rhomaleus	Rhomaleus ornatus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Leptosolenophorus	Leptosolenophorus brevicollis	Grassel, Braunschweig
Gastroratus	Gastroratus dispertitus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Brachylaimon	Brachylaimon striatus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Pleuralocista	Pleuralocista insculpta	Grassel, Braunschweig
Mesoncus	Mesoncus striatulus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Palaeotrachys	Palaeotrachys laticollis	Schlewecke am Harz
Hydroicetes	Hydroicetes affictus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Boreale)
Scalopoides	Scalopoides inscissus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Peridosoma	Peridosoma praecisum	Grassel, Braunschweig
Syntomopterus	Syntomopterus latus	Beienrode
Sphaerocantharis	Sphaerocantharis striata Sphaerocantharis defossa	Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Beienrode
Rhysopsalis	Rhysopsalis distorta	Beienrode
Diplocelides	Diplocelides minutus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Tripsalis	Tripsalis praecisa	Grassel, Braunschweig
Trochiscites	Trochiscites capitapertus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Zetemenos	Zetemenos sexlineatus	Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale)
Amphoxyne	Amphoxyne lineata Amphoxyne minuta	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Beienrode Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale)
Tolype	Tolype rotundata	Beienrode
Prosynactus	Prosynactus gracilis Prosynactus scissus Prosynactus procerus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Beienrode Beienrode, Fletchtorf Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)	Elytrons	False Ground Beetles of the family Trachypachidae.
Coreoeicos	Coreoeicos dilatatus	Beienrode
Aposphinctus	Aposphinctus conservatus Aposphinctus striatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Beienrode Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale)	Elytrons	A Water Scavenger Beetle of the family Hydrophilidae.
Amblycephalonius	Amblycephalonius tenuistriatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale)	Elytrons	Beetles of the family Coptoclavidae.
Ooperioristus	Ooperioristus applanatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Camaricopterus	Camaricopterus ovalis	Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale)	Elytrons	A Beetle of the family Phoroschizidae.
Megachorites	Megachorites brevicollis	Grassel, Braunschweig Volkmarsdorf, Braunschweig	Elytrons	A Giant Beetle. It is among the largest found on all the Jurassic.
Geisfeldiella	Geisfeldiella benkerti	Bamberg	Isolated Wings	Mayfly of the family Protereismatidae.
Protobittacus	Protobittacus desacuminatus Protobittacus arculatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Hattorf, Fallersleben	Isolated Wings	Hanginflies of the family Bittacidae.
Parabittacus	Parabittacus lingula	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben Hattorf, Fallersleben (Boreale)
Neorthophlebia	Neorthophlebia maculipennis	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Pleobittacus	Pleobittacus retroflexus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Haplobittacus	Haplobittacus parvus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Mesobittacus	Mesobittacus clavaeformis Mesobittacus minutus Mesobittacus marginelaesus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Beienrode, Fletchtorf
Orthophlebia	Orthophlebia latipennisimilis Orthophlebia fallerslebensis Orthophlebia diminuta Orthophlebia brunsvicensis Orthophlebia speciosa Orthophlebia compacta Orthophlebia elongata	Hondelage, Braunschweig Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.) Grassel, Braunschweig Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans) Hattorf, Fallersleben Große Kley, Mörse	Isolated Wings	Scorpionflies of the family Orthophlebiidae.
Reprehensa	Reprehensa acuminata	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Parorthophlebia	Parorthophlebia grasselensis	Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben
Mesopanorpa	Mesopanorpa obtusa Mesopanorpa formosa	Hondelage, Braunschweig Beienrode
Protorthophlebia	Protorthophlebia cuneata	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	Scorpionflies of the family Protorthophlebiidae.
Pseudopolycentropus	Pseudopolycentropus obtusus	Grassel, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben	Isolated Wings	Scorpionflies of the family Pseudopolycentropodidae.
Homoeoptychopteris	Homoeoptychopteris incerta	Grassel, Braunschweig	Nymphs? Isolated Wings Complete Specimens	Flies Of Uncertain Placement. Some of the Specimens where listed as Nymphs but are now tougth to be wingless Dipterans
Liassonympha	Liassonympha compacta Liassonympha glans Liassonympha guttula	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Rhopaloscolex	Rhopaloscolex brevis Rhopaloscolex longus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Empidocampe	Empidocampe retrocrassata	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Amianta	Amianta eurycephala	Grassel, Braunschweig
Culiciscolex	Culiciscolex gibberatus	Grassel, Braunschweig
Bodephora	Bodephora arucaeformis	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Apistogrypotes	Apistogrypotes inflexa	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Amphipromeca	Amphipromeca acuta	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Cyrtomides	Cyrtomides maculatus	Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans)
Sphallonymphites	Sphallonymphites decurtatus	Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans)
Propexis	Propexis incerta	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)
Amblylexis	Amblylexis gibberata	Grassel, Braunschweig
Ellipibodus	Ellipibodus laesa	Grassel, Braunschweig
Archipleciomima	Archipleciomima germanica	Große Kley, Mörse
Protoplecia	Protoplecia hattorfensis	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)	Isolated Wings	A Fly of the family Protopleciidae.
Mesorhyphus	Mesorhyphus ulrichi	Niedersachsen	Isolated Wings	A Wood Gnat of the family Anisopodidae.
Hondelagia	Hondelagia reticulata	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Snakefly of the family Priscaenigmatidae.
Metaraphidia	Metaraphidia vahldieki	Schandelah (Vahldiek coll)	Isolated Wings	A Snakefly of the family Metaraphidiidae.
Heterorhyphus	Heterorhyphus analivarius Heterorhyphus anomalus	Grassel, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Fly of the family Heterorhyphidae.
Protorhyphus	Protorhyphus ovisimilis	Grassel, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Fly of the family Protorhyphidae.
Protorhyphus	Metatrichopteridium confusum	Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.)	Isolated Wings	A Fly of the family Hennigmatidae.
Praemacrochile	Praemacrochile decipiens	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Zessin coll.) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.)	Isolated Wings	A primitive Crane fly of the family Tanyderidae.
Nannotanyderus	Nannotanyderus krzeminskii	Kerkhofen	Isolated Wings	A primitive Crane fly of the family Tanyderidae.
Architipula	Architipula bodeisimilis Architipula ptychopteraeformis Architipula formosa Architipula basiminuta Architipula robusta Architipula clara Architipula bodei Architipula brunsvicensis Architipula analiramosa Architipula aequabilis Architipula fragmentosa Architipula veris Architipula latealata	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.) Große Kley, Mörse	Isolated Wings	A Crane fly of the family Limoniidae.
Ozotipula	Ozotipula tarda	Grassel, Braunschweig
Haplotipula	Haplotipula majalis Haplotipula cubitoramosa	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Leptotipuloides	Leptotipuloides fastigata	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Mikrotipula	Mikrotipula dixaeformis	Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans)
Eoptychoptera	Eoptychoptera simplex Eoptychoptera eximia	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Flechtorf near Fallersleben (Elegans) Große Kley, Mörse Kerkhofen	Isolated Wings	A Phantom Crane fly of the family Eoptychopterinae.
Necrotaulius	Necrotaulius parvulus	Holzmaden Kerkhofen Trirneusel Staffelstein Pferdsfeld Hattorf, Fallersleben Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.) Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Ansorge coll.) Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Caddisfly of the family Necrotauliidae.
Glottopteryx	Glottopteryx multivenosa	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Lacewing of uncertain placement.
Prohemerobius	Prohemerobius prodromus Prohemerobius quatuorpictus Prohemerobius septemvirgatus Parhemerobius multostriatus Prohemerobius mediolatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale) Hattorf, Fallersleben (Elegans) Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)	Isolated Wings	A Lacewing of the family Prohemerobiidae.
Parhemerobius	Parhemerobius dilatatus Parhemerobius bodei	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig Schandelah, near Braunschweig (PIN Collection 4503)
Paractinophlebia	Paractinophlebia grasselensis Paractinophlebia tenuis Paractinophlebia acuta	Hondelage, Braunschweig Grassel, Braunschweig (Boreale)
Actinophlebia	Actinophlebia abscissa	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Stenoteleuta	Stenoteleuta lingulaeformis	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Actinoptilon	Actinoptilon violatum	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A Silky Lacewing of the family Psychopsidae.
Panfilovia	Panfilovia fasciata	Niedersachsen Kerkhofen	Isolated Wings	A Lacewing of the family Panfiloviidae.
Epipanfilovia	Epipanfilovia fasciata	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Liassopsychops	Liassopsychops curvata	Hondelage, Braunschweig Hattorf, Fallersleben Grassel, Braunschweig Kerkhofen	Isolated Wings	A Giant Lacewing (Kalligrammatidae) of the subfamily Liassopsychopinae. It is one of the oldest known representatives of the Giant pollinator lacewings. The genus Liassopsychops was previously referred to Psychopsidae. Another specimen related, Ma 14504 is regarded here as Kalligrammatidae incertae sedis. This along the occurrence of two distantly-related genera of Kalligrammatidae in the lower Toarcian is unexpected. The Toarcian Kalligrammatidae lived in warm and dry conditions
Ophtalmogramma	Ophtalmogramma klopschari	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Mesopsychopsis	Mesopsychopsis liasina	Hondelage, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	A lance Lacewing of the family Osmylopsychopidae.
Tetanoptilon	Tetanoptilon brunsvicense	Hondelage, Braunschweig (Boreale Zone)	Isolated Wings	A lance Lacewing of the family Osmylidae. The largest non-Kalligrammatidae lacewing of the Jurassic, with a forewing length of 470 mm and a wingspan estimated at 11 cm.
Mesosmylina	Mesosmylina exornata	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Protoaristenymphes	Protoaristenymphes bascharagensis	Bascharage	Isolated Wings	A lance Lacewing of the family Mesochrysopidae.
Liassocicada	Liassocicada mueckei Liassocicada antecedens	Rhine-Danube canal, Km 112 Beienrode	Isolated Wings	A Hairy Cicada of the family Tettigarctidae.
Liassotettigarcta	Liassotettigarcta mueckei	Kerkhofen
Adelocoris	Adelocoris ambiguus	Grassel, Braunschweig	Isolated Wings	Pentatomomorphans of the family Pachymeridiidae. Are related with the family Lygaeoidea, being possible ancestral forms of this last one.
Stiphroschema	Stiphroschema longealatum	Grassel, Braunschweig
Engerrophorus	Engerrophorus nitidus	Schandelah, nr Braunschweig (Bode coll.)
Euraspidium	Euraspidium granulosum	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Ischnocoris	Ischnocoris bitoratus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Mesomphalocoris	Mesomphalocoris obtusus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Trachycoris	Trachycoris abbreviatus	Hondelage, Braunschweig
Xulsigia	Xulsigia karetsa	Bommelscheier industrial area	Isolated Wings	A Sternorrhynchan of the family Pincombeomorpha. It is curious for its peculiar venation on its wings. Has been proposed its own family, Xulsigiidae.
Indutionomarus	Indutionomarus treveriorum	Bommelscheier industrial area	Isolated Wings	A Coleorrhynchan of the family Progonocimicidae.
Xyelula	Xyelula benderi	Misltelgau Schandelah, near Braunschweig (PIN Collection 4779)	Isolated Wings	A Pseudo-Wasp of the family Sepulcidae.
Thilopterus	Thilopterus lampei	Schandelah (Lampe coll)	Isolated Wings	A Wasp of the family Ephialtitidae.
Symphytopterus	Symphytopterus liasinus	Schandelah, near Braunschweig (Zessin coll.)
Liadobracona	Liadobracona raduhna	Schandelah (Vahldiek coll)
Pseudoxyelocerus	Pseudoxyelocerus bascharagensis	Bascharage	Isolated Wings	A Wood Wasp of the family Xyelotomidae.

Echinodermata

Asterozoa

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Ophiopholis	Ophiopholis trispinosa	Holzmaden Ohmden Altforf Banz Mistelau Hemmikon	Specimens	An Ophiuridan of the family Ophiactidae. Very rare on the layers.	Modern Specimen
Mesophiomusium	Mesophiomusium geisingense Mesophiomusium scabrum	Bachhausen Altforf	Specimens	An Ophiuridan of the family Ophiolepididae. Very rare on the layers, being Mesophiomusium geisingense the most common of the two species present.	Holotype specimens from the Posidonia Shale
Ophiarachna	Ophiarachna liasica	Holzmaden Ohmden Altforf Banz Mistelau Hemmikon	Specimens	An Ophiuridan of the family Ophiacanthida. Very Common, related to non anoxic water sedimentation.
Sinosura	Sinosura brodiei	Holzmaden Ohmden	Specimens	An Ophiuridan of the family Aplocomidae. Very Common.	Fossil Specimen
?Ophiura	Ophiura astonensis	Holzmaden Ohmden	Specimens	An Ophiuridan of the family Ophiuridae. Its relationships haven't been confirmed and it is based on very fragmentary remains.	Appearance
?Ophiocten	Ophiocten seeweni	Holzmaden Ohmden	Specimens	An Ophiuridan of the family Ophiuridae. Its relationships haven't been confirmed and it is based on very fragmentary remains.
?Pentasteria	Pentasteria sp.	Banz	Specimens	An Asteroidean of the family Astropectinidae. It is very rare on the layers, and a few fragmentary specimens are known. Only a relatively complete specimen is known from Banz Abbey.	Pentasteria sp. from Banz

Echinoidea

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Cidaris	Cidaris sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhaussen Altforf Banz	Specimens	A sea urchin of the family Cidaridae. Common on several layers. Cidaris is genus that still alive today. A bottom dweller, is commonly found associated with Belemnnite fossils, probably due to eating its carcasses.	Modern Specimen
Diademopsis	Diademopsis crinifera Diademopsis aequituberculata Diademopsis behtensis Diademopsis bowerbanki	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Specimens	A sea urchin of the family Pedinidae. It is the most common sea urchin in the formation, present on all the levels with specimens of various sizes. Vinculated to sea bottom sediments, before Gasteropods and Bivalves, Diademospsis was the third major colonizer of the bottom, in between anoxic changes.	Specimens from Holzmaden
Hemipedina	Hemipedina sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Specimens	A sea urchin of the family Pedinidae
Eodiadema	Eodiadema minutum	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Specimens	A sea urchin of the family Diadematidae	Specimens from Holzmaden
Pseudodiadema	Pseudodiadema posidoniae Pseudodiadema jurensis	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Specimens	A sea urchin of the family Pseudodiadematidae
Procidaris	Procidaris edwardsi	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhaussen Banz	Specimens	A sea urchin of the family Miocidaridae

Holothuroidea

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Theelia	Theelia heptalampra Theelia florealis	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhaussen Altforf Banz	Specimens	A sea cucumber of the family Chiridotidae. It is the only major genus of Sea Cucumbers reported locally on the Posidonienschiefer. It was identified originally as Chirodonta mesoliasicus and Chirodonta heptalmorpha. Represents a possible cosmopolitan holothurian that occupied all three types of deep-sea ecosystems as an organic-enrichment opportunist.

Crinoidea

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Praetetracrinus	Praetetracrinus kutscheri	Banz Altdorf Holzmaden Ohmden	Isolated Stems	A Crinoidean of the family Plicatocrinidae.
Shroshaecrinus	?Shroshaecrinus quedlinburgensis	Banz Altdorf Holzmaden Ohmden	Isolated Stems	A Crinoidean of the family Millericrinidae.
Procomaster	Procomaster pentadactylus	Banz Altdorf Holzmaden Ohmden	Isolated Stems	A Crinoidean of the family Isocrinida.
Isocrinus	Isocrinus basaltiformis	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Isolated Stems	Type genus of Crinoidean of the family Isocrinida.	Close view of one specimen Single specimen
Seirocrinus	Seirocrinus subangularis	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Complete Specimens Megaraft Colonies with +thousand associated specimens Isolated Stemns	The largest known Crinoidean, from the family Pentacrinitidae. Among the tallest animals of its period, Seirocrinus is also one of the most famous fossils from the Posidonia Shale. It consists of fossils of colonies along large wood trunks, with specimens up to 14 m long, with the largest specimen reaching 26 m long, what makes it among the tallest know Mesozoic organisms, one of the largest invertebrates know on the fossil record and one of the tallest know animals. It was an open ocean organism that lived in rafting woods, probably filtering food and serving as a refuge for other animals, such as ammonites. The crinoids had a large colonization process, based on the status of the fossil wood found. The large rafts were the home for a high variety of marine organisms, such as Balanoideans, Ammonites and other. It has been estimated that without the presence of modern raft wood predators (that appeared on the Bathonian) those rafts can last up to 5 years, being that the main reason the crinoids were able to reach such huge sizes. The large rafts were also probably essential to distribute animals along the Early Jurassic Seas.	Close view of one specimen Single specimen
Pentacrinites	Pentacrinites fossilis Pentacrinites briareus Pentacrinites franconicus Pentacrinites dichotomus Pentacrinites quenstedti	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Aselfingen Maurach Hemmikon Bascharage	Complete Specimens Megaraft Colonies with +thousand associated specimens Isolated Stems	Type genus of Crinoidean from the family Pentacrinitidae. Like Seirocrinus, Pentacrinites formed colonies on rafting wood, getting a different role than bigger crinoid and appearing on the first stages of the decomposition of the rafting wood. Was a smaller genus, with specimens of no more than 1 meter long, usually measuring 40–70 cm.	Close view of one specimen Reconstruction

Vertebrata

Fishes

Chondrichthyes

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Synechodus	Synechodus egertoni	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Teeth	Thype shark of the family Synechodontiformes.
Palidiplospinax	Palidiplospinax smithwoodwardi	Holzmaden	Articulated vertebral column, girdles, both fin spines and clasper organ	A member of the family Palaeospinacidae.
Palaeospinax	Palaeospinax priscus Palaeospinax egertoni	Holzmaden	Anterior part of body with basicranium, palatoquadrates, Meckel's cartilage, ceratohyals, epihyals, teeth, traces of the branchial arches and the anterior finspine	Type member of the family Palaeospinacidae.
Crassodus	Crassodus reifi	Dotternhausen	Meckelian Cartilages, Jaws, teeth, Palatoquadrates, placoid scales and dearticualted parts of the labial, hyoid and branchial skeleton.	A shark of the family Hybodontidae. The Type specimen belongs to a large hybodontid, with an estimated total length of up to 3 m. It has a Meckelian Cartilage more robust than Hybodus hauffianus and an acrodontine dentition, as seen on Bdellodus. Probably is related with "Hybodus" delabechei, very likely a junior synonym of Crassodus.
Bdellodus	Bdellodus bollensis	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Teeth.	A shark of the family Hybodontidae.	Bdellodus
Hybodus	Hybodus hauffianus Hybodus delabechei Hybodus pyramidalis Hybodus reticulatus Hybodus sp.	Banz Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Schandelah Altdorf	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Fragments of the Skull Fin Spines Teeth Cartilage.	Type shark of the family Hybodontidae. It is the most abundant shark on the layers of the Posidonia Shale, with some of the best preserved specimens of the genus known. It was probably an open ocean hunter, with small horns over the eyes. With a size around 2 m, it was also one of the largest representatives of the Chondrichthyes on the formation.	Hybodus Holzmaden specimen, among the best preserved of the genus, with Belemmnites inside. Hybodus Another Holzmaden specimen
Acrodus	Acrodus nobilis	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Altdorf	Fragmentary Specimens Teeth	Type shark of the family Acrodontidae.
Pseudonotidanus	Pseudonotidanus politus	Holzmaden	Partial, articulated specimen	A shark of the family Hexanchiformes. It was identified originally as a member of the genus Palaeospinax.
Bathytheristes	Bathytheristes gracilis	Ohmden	Upper ("palatine") toothplate	A member of Callorhynchidae inside Chimaeriformes. Similar to Callorhinchus, among the oldest known of its type. It the first Modern lineage Chimaeras from the Toarcian.	Callorhinchus milii can be the closest relative of Bathytheristes
Acanthorhina	Acanthorhina jaekeli	Holzmaden	Head and postcranial remains	A member of Myriacanthidae inside Chimaeriformes. An aberrant Chimaera with an extrange elongated nose and horns over the skull.	Acanthorhina
Metopacanthus	Metopacanthus bollensis Metopacanthus sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden	Isolated Dorsal Fin Spine Chondrocranium, partial fin spine and length of vertebral column	A member of Myriacanthidae inside Chimaeriformes. An aberrant Chimaera with a second jaw-like structure on its head.
Recurvacanthus	Recurvacanthus uniserialis	Holzmaden	Isolated Fin Spine	A member of Myriacanthidae inside Chimaeriformes.
Batoidea	Batoidea Indeterminate	Holzmaden	SMNS 52666, Incomplete Specimen	A possible member of Rajidae inside Batoidea. It was originally identified as a member of Galeiformes. This Genus was found to be sister taxa to the extant Raja (fish). It is probably the oldest described pelagic Rajiform. It wears an enlogated rostrum.

Actinopteri

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Holzmadenfuro	Holzmadenfuro rebmanni	Holzmaden	Complete Specimen	First ganoin-scaled Ophiopsiformes (Halecomorphi) from the Posidonienschiefer. The type specimen measures 51 cm, and has elongated and serrated body scales before the dorsal fin and tiny ganoid scales after it.
Ohmdenfuro	Ohmdenfuro bodmani	Ohmden	Nearly complete specimen with broken skull	First ganoin-scaled Ophiopsiformes (Halecomorphi) from the Posidonienschiefer. Elongated morphology, with a length of ~39 cm, covered by smooth, massive ganoin scales.
Heterolepidotus	Heterolepidotus sp.	Schandelah	Isolated Teeth Isolated Scales Isolated Jaws	A member of the family Furidae inside Ionoscopiformes
Caturus	Caturus smithwoodwardi	Holzmaden Würtenmberg	Various Complete and nearly complete Specimens	Type Genus of the family Caturidae inside Amiiformes	Caturus
Lycodus	Lycodus gigas	Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Isolated Skull Bones	A possible representative of the family Saurichthyidae. Is based on rather fragmentary specimens.
Saurorhynchus	Saurorhynchus hauffi Saurorhynchus brevirostris	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skulls Isolated Skull Bones Isolated Fin Spines Isolated Teeth	The youngest representative of the family Saurichthyidae, known for its large jaws, similar to modern Belonidae.	Saurorhynchus
Ptycholepis	Ptycholepis bollensis Ptycholepis barrati	Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skull Bones	Type member of the family Ptycholepididae inside Ptycholepiformes. It is one of the Youngest representatives of its Family.	Ptycholepis Ptycholepis
Pholidophorus	Pholidophorus germanicus Pholidophorus hartmanni Pholidophorus sp.	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skull Bones	A member of the family Pholidophoridae. Is among the most abundant fishes on the late liassic of Europe, present on the sub-Mediterranean boreal, with specimens of several sizes.	Pholidophorus Pholidophorus
Leptolepis	Leptolepis jaegeri Leptolepis antisiodorensis Leptolepis coryphaenoides Leptolepis bronni Leptolepis normandica Leptolepis sp.	Banz Altdorf Oedhof Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skull Bones	A member of the family Leptolepididae. The most common member of its family, Leptolepis is commonly associated with Crustaceans and small marine invertebrates, probably main creatures on its diet. One on the most predated vertebrates on the formation, with abundance of larger fishes and reptiles with specimens associated.	Leptolepis Leptolepis
Longileptolepis	Longileptolepis wiedenrothi	SW of Braunschweig	MB. f.7612, nearly complete specimen.	A member of the family Leptolepididae. Was identified as Paraleptolepis, but this name is currently occupied by a Japanese fish genus of Early Cretaceous age. It differs from Leptolepis coryphaenoides in the presence of a few autapomorphics and also in the retention of several primitive features not present on the last one. Small genus, of about 14 cm length.
Euthynotus	Euthynotus incognitus Euthynotus cf.incognitus	Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Fragmnetary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skull Bones	A member of the family Pachycormidae.	Euthynotus
Saurostomus	Saurostomus esocinus	Banz Altdorf Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions	A member of the family Pachycormidae. Large representative of the family, reaching sizes up to 2.3 m.	Saurostomus Saurostomus
Pachycormus	Pachycormus macropterus Pachycormus bollensis	Banz Altdorf Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Skin Impressions	Type member of the family Pachycormidae. Large representative of its family, with a size up to 1.5 m. One specimen preserved the alimentary canal, with the stomach filled by numerous hooklets that can be referred to the coleoid cephalopod Phragmoteuthis, implying a diet of cephalopods from this genus.	Pachycormus
Sauropsis	Sauropsis latus Sauropsis veruinalis	Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Skin Impressions	A large member of the family Pachycormidae.	Sauropsis Sauropsis
Ohmdenia	Ohmdenia multidentata	Ohmden	Single desarticulated Specimen	A large member of the family Pachycormidae, with up to 2.5–3 m long and an estimated weight over 200 kg. Considered originally a junior synonym of Pachycormus, although the craneal bones suggest a new genus. Among the largest fish found on the formation it is a key fossil on the transition to large filter feeding fishes. Being Coeval with another basal Pachycormiformes show the specialization of the group during the late lower jurassic. Ohmdenia is the sister taxa to group of suspension-feeding Giant Middle-Late Jurassic Fishes (Including the famous Leedsichthys), showing alterations on its dental structure, with jaw indicates a diet based on soft body prey. Its evolutionary significance is comparable to that of the genus Aetiocetus for the modern Baleen whale.	Ohmdenia
Dapedium	Dapedium pholidotum Dapedium punctatus Dapedium caelatus Dapedium stollorum	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Desarticulated Specimens Speinballen Specimen Skin Impressions Isolated Scales Isolated Skull Bones Isolated Fin Spines Isolated Teeth	A deep-bodied neopterygian, Type member of the family Dapediidae. Unpublished material indicates the presence of one or even two more still undescribed species of Dapedium in the Lower Toarcian.	Dapedium Dapedium
Lepidotes	Lepidotes elvensis Lepidotes gigas Lepidotes sp.	Banz Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Niedersachsen Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skull Bones	A common member of the Lepisosteiformes.	Lepidotes Lepidotes
Tetragonolepis	Tetragonolepis drosera Tetragonolepis semicincta	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Aichelberg Schandelah Dotternhausen Holzmaden Ohmden Maurach	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skull Bones	A common member of the Semionotidae.	Tetragonolepis
Strongylosteus	Strongylosteus hindenburgi	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Skin Impressions Organ Traces?	A large member of the Chondrosteidae and the largest non reptilian marine vertebrate of the Posidonia shale, with a size between 3 and 4.5 m, and an estimated weight over 800 kg to 1 tonne. Has been suggested as a junior Synonym of Chrondrosteus, although there haven't been any new revision about the status of the genus. It is related to modern sturgeons, but with a different kind of mouth than common species, made for hunting prey in open waters, with a strong lower jaw, similar to modern Beluga Sturgeons.	Strongylosteus

Sarcopterygii

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Trachymetopon	Trachymetopon liasicum	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Fragmentary Specimens Skin Impressions Organ Traces Isolated Skull Bones	A large coelacanth of the family Mawsoniidae, related with the genera Axelrodichthys, Chinlea, Diplurus and the type Mawsonia. The largest specimen know from the Posidonia Shale is GPIT.OS.770 (Holotype), with a length over 1.6 m. The specimen presents an ossified lung inside the abdominal cavity, and most of the body, being also one of the most complete Coelacanths of the Jurassic found. Some recent discoveries from the Middle Jurassic show specimens of up to 3.5 m long. Trachymetopon precedes the presence of the family Mawsoniidae in Europe by about 120 Ma and the northernmost occurrence of a member of the group, implying an extensive geographical range during the Early Jurassic. Due to the specimens being found on pelagic deposits suggest that probably was an open ocean swimmer.	Trachymetopon GPIT.OS.770

Reptiles

Ichthyosauria

Inderminate specimens are known.

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Temnodontosaurus	Temnodontosaurus trigonodon Temnodontosaurus burgundiae Temnodontosaurus "sp. A" Temnodontosaurus "sp. B"	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Schlierbach Hondelange Grassel Schandelah Dörnten Langenbrücken Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Skulls Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Fin Phalanges Isolated Teeth	Type genus of the family Temnodontosauridae. A large Macroraptorial Ichthyosaur, apex predator of its environment. It ranges between 9 and the 12 m, being one of the largest known ichthyosaurs, characterized by skulls and jaws over 1 m in length, with the largest being over 1.9 m long. It has been found with fragments of young icthyosaur on his stomach. Of 39 specimens of Temnodontosaurus studied, a 21% (8 Specimens) show pathologies along their body, with several injuries post traumatic, probably done by other marine reptiles.	Temnodontosaurus hunting Temnodontosaurus trigonodon specimen.
Stenopterygius	Stenopterygius megalorhinus Stenopterygius eos Stenopterygius intercedens Stenopterygius incessus Stenopterygius hauffianus Stenopterygius cuneiceps Stenopterygius promegacephalus Stenopterygius sp.	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Schlierbach Hondelange Grassel Beienrode Schandelah Aichelberg Staffelstein Pferdsfeld Oedhof Holzmaden Ohmden Gomaringen Dotternhausen Dörnten Langenbrücken Bascharange	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Complete Specimens Giving Birth Skin Impressions Coloration Impressions Associated Mother-Embryo Specimens Mass Mortality Assemblages Isolated Skulls Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Fin Phalanges Isolated Teeth	Type genus of the family Stenopterygiidae. A common Toarcian Ichthyosaur, present on multiple layers. The rather exquisite level of preservation has led to know even the coloration, that exposes a clear countershading, with an upper part being more obscure than the lower, similar to modern Killer Whales, the Heaviside's dolphin or the Dall's porpoise. There is also evidence of changes in color with ontogenic changes, going from dark juveniles to countershaded adults. The skin was flexible & Scaless, as in Dolphins. The study of several specimens has revelated that the Stenopterygius quadriscissus underwent a size-related trophic niche shift through ontogeny, shifting from a piscivorous diet to a teuthophagous diet, know thanks to exquisite preserved stomach contents. Stenopterygius was a relatively opportunistic feeder, as gut contents tend to track relative species abundance.	Restoration Fossil
Suevoleviathan	Suevoleviathan disinteger Suevoleviathan integer	Holzmaden Ohmden Banz Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Skulls	Type genus of the family Suevoleviathanidae. Includes specimens up to 4 m long.	Suevoleviathan integer fossil
Hauffiopteryx	Hauffiopteryx typicus Hauffiopteryx altera	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens	Small sized Ichthyosaur, probably a member of Parvipelvia, sister group to Stenopterygius + Ophthalmosauridae. A small- to mid-sized ichthyosaur, 2–3 m in length, with relatively short and slender antorbital rostrum.	Hauffiopteryx typicus fossil
Eurhinosaurus	Eurhinosaurus longirostris	Banz Altdorf Hondelange Schandelah Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Skulls Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Fin Phalanges Isolated Teeth	A large ichthyosaur of the family Leptonectidae with convergent evolution with modern Swordfish. Like this fishes, Eurhinosaurus is believed to be a fast swimming predator, able to hunt fish schools on same way. Large specimens of up to 6 m are known.	Complete specimen from the Posidonia Shale Eurhinosaurus restoration

Plesiosauria

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Plesiosauroidea	Genus and species indet.	Holzmaden	SMNS 51945, an almost complete articulated skeleton lacking most of the skull Skin Impressions Phosphatised collagen fibres Gastroliths	An indeterminate Plesiosauroidea Plesiosaur. A impressively preserved Inmature specimen, different from Hydrorion brachypterygius and Seeleyosaurus guilelmiimperatoris, the most abundant Plesiosaurs found locally, and it´s anatomical characters suggest it represents a new genus. It fossilized buff-coloured material, identified as mainly composed of calcium phosphate and interpreted as phosphatised muscle tissues. It also contains eumelanin and hence possibly corresponds to areas dark-coloured in life. The stomach contains quartz grains that were most likely ingested during the animal’s life, maybe used for food trituration. This gastroliths have importance for it´s exotic provenance compared with the sorrounding lithology of the deposits (Mostly Shale), and as sandy turbidites have never been reported from the SW German Basin, the individual may have acquired the sand-sized grains many kilometres away from the burial site. Strata containing fine sand (‘Glaukonit und viel Feinsand’) at Obereggenen im Breisgau (western side of the Black Forest between Freiburg and Basel), 200 km from Holzmaden suggest a nearshore deposit was allocated here, and that the Black Forest Emerged at this time. Probably this young specimen reached that location in serach for Gastroliths.
Plesiopterys	Plesiopterys wildi	Holzmaden	Complete Specimen.	A basal Plesiosaur that has been linked with Cryptoclididae. It is one of the smallest from the Posidonia, with a complete skeleton measuring less than 2.5 m. It is considered a possible junior synonym of Seeleyosaurus.	Plesiopterys
Seeleyosaurus	Seeleyosaurus guilelmiimperatoris Seeleyosaurus sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Schandelah Banz?	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Fin Phalanges Isolated Teeth	A Plesiosaur of the family Microcleididae. It was named originally "Plesiosaurus guilelmiimperatoris". It was a moderate‐sized plesiosauroid, measuring up to 3,5 m in length with a skull length of 170 mm.	Seeleysaurus
Microcleidus	Microcleidus brachypterygius	Holzmaden	Several Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Juvenile Specimens Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Fin Phalanges Isolated Teeth	Type member of the Plesiosaur family Microcleididae. Small Plesiosaur, with a length of less than 3 metres. It is characterised by a really enlongated neck, was probably an ichthyophagous form that occurred rarely in the Posidonienschiefer fauna.	Microcleidus
Hydrorion	Hydrorion brachypterygius Hydrorion sp.	Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Schandelah Hondelange Grassel Banz	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Juvenile Specimens Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Fin Phalanges Isolated Teeth	A junior synonym of M. brachypterygius.	Hydrorion
Meyerasaurus	Meyerasaurus victor	Holzmaden	Nearly complete specimen.	A Rhomaleosauridae Plesiosaur. Its detailed fossils have helped to study plesiosaur movement.	Meyerasaurus
Hauffiosaurus	Hauffiosaurus zanoni	Dotternhausen Holzmaden	Complete specimen.	A Rhomaleosauridae Plesiosaur. A moderately sized (3.4 m) Rhomaleaosaurid, ecologically adapted to fish hunt, as has been observed due to comparing the long snouted skull with that of Peloneustes, Gharial Crocodiles or Dolphins.	Hauffiosaurus

Sphenodontia

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Palaeopleurosaurus	Palaeopleurosaurus posidoniae	Banz Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Kerkhofen	Complete specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Vertebrae?	An aquatic sphenodont of the family Pleurosauridae. Palaeopleurosaurus evidences that there was a slightly skeletal specialization for an aquatic lifestyle, achieved through the Jurassic gradually on pleurosaurs. It has similarities with other marine reptiles, such with members of Sauropterygia the presence of a defined suture between the centrum and the neural arch, along with reduced sternum. Probably had a semiaquatic style of life, although not as adapted as Pleurosaurus, as show limited morphological evidence of adaptation to a complete aquatic lifestyle, defined by no Osteosclerosis and the lack of Pachyostosis, except for a thicker shaft region in the humerus, that is as narrow as in terrestrial rhynchocephalians, such as the terrestrial Clevosaurus. Palaeopleurosaurus probably was still able to walk on land, for example for Oviposition. Recent studies suggest a shorter lifespan than modern Tuatara, based on irregular spacing of growth marks.	Palaeopleurosaurus Palaeopleurosaurus

Testudinata

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Pleurosternoidea	Pleurosternoidea indeterminate	Altdorf	Upper Pleural Series Fragments of the Backskull	A Marine Turtle of the family Pleurosternoidea inside Amphichelydia. Is the Only Formally Identified fossil as Turtle from the Posidonia Shale, representing a rather basal genus. The Pleurals resemble those of the genus Plesiochelys. Being Found on the zone of Franconia that on the Toarcian was at -80 Km from the shore can suggest that early Marine Turtles lived on the epicontinental waters of the European shallow seas before reach richer ecosystem diversity on the Late Jurassic. This would explain the serious lack of Turtle fossils on the formation, as mostly of the deposits are located far from the coast.
Testudinata?	Testudinata? Indeterminate	Altdorf Banz Hondelange Schandelah	Pssible Pleurals Possible Fragments of the Cranium Possible leg parts	Possible unclassified Testudine remains. Münster (1834) cited: "there were also rare things at the quarries of Altdorf, among other remains there were ones of a turtle on lias limestone"". The remains are not catalogued and some specimens are in Private Collections.

Crocodylomorpha

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Macrospondylus	Macrospondylus bollensis Macrospondylus cf.bollensis Macrospondylus sp.	Banz Bad Boll Altdorf Mistelgau Hondenlange Grassel Schandelah Berg Schlierbach Niedersachsen Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Juvenile Specimens Skin Impressions Tissue Impressions Coloration Impressions Isolated Skulls Isolated Fragmentary Cranial Remains Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Tibias Isolated Femurs Isolated Teeth	A Longirostrine Thalattosuchian of the family Machimosauridae. Was considered synonymous with Steneosaurus until in 2020 this last was recovered as invalid. It reached large sizes, with specimens exceding 5 m, being a generalist predator.	Macrospondylus bollensis fossil with Skin Impressions
Mystriosaurus	Mystriosaurus laurillardi Mystriosaurus sp.	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen Schandelah	Complete Specimens? Partial Specimens Isolated Skulls Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Tibias Isolated Teeth	A Mesorostrine Thalattosuchian of the family Teleosauridae. A marine crocodrylomorph with a diet probably based on fish. Was considered synonymous with Steneosaurus until recently. Due to this unusual placement of the external nares, Mystriosaurus was more terrestrial, or spent a greater amount of time on land, than other teleosauroids. This would explain it´s greater presence on zones of the formation more proximal to the emerged landmasses. It´s morphology suggest it was a mesorostrine generalist.	Mystriosaurus
Platysuchus	Platysuchus multiscrobiculatus Platysuchus cf.multiscrobiculatus Platysuchus sp.	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skulls Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Femurs Isolated Teeth	A Longirostrine Thalattosuchian of the family Teleosauridae. Platysuchus was slightly more robust than its contemporaneous relatives, being probably adapted to hunt more voluminous fish. A heavily armoured, semi-terrestrial longirostrine generalist form, indicated by the extensive and tightly packed rows of dorsal osteoderms.	Platysuchus
Pelagosaurus	Pelagosaurus typus Pelagosaurus cf.typus Pelagosaurus sp.	Banz Altdorf Ohmden Holzmaden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Juvenile Specimens Skin Impressions Isolated Skulls Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Femurs Isolated Teeth	A Thalattosuchian with a complex assignation, probably the basalmost Metriorhynchoidean. Pelagosaurus typus was a small-bodied thalattosuchian (∼1 m in length) considered to be an adept aquatic pursuit predator, with a long streamlined snout ideal for snapping at fast moving prey (one specimen was found with Leptolepis fishes inside) and large, anterolaterally placed orbits for increased visual acuity.	Pelagosaurus

Pterosauria

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Campylognathoides	Campylognathoides zitteli Campylognathoides liasicus Campylognathoides cf. C. liasicus Campylognathoides sp.	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Hondelange Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Skulls Isolated Skull Remains Isolated Wing Phalanges Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Femurs Isolated Teeth	A Novialoidean Pterosaur, type genus of the family Campylognathoidea. Mark Witton suggests the construction of Campylognathoides' extremely robust forelimbs, with proportionally long wing fingers, could be a specialization for a fast aerial lifestyle comparable to those of Falcons and mastiff bats, being more probably an insect & vertebrate hunter and living on nearshore environments.	Campylognathoides Nearly complete Campylognathoides
"Schandelopterus"	Novialoidea ("Schandelopterus") Indeterminate	Schandelah	Pelvis and several vertebrae.	A Novialoidean Pterosaur, probably a member of the family Campylognathoidea. Has been assigned to the genus Campylognathoides, although it is clearly different than any other pterosaur from the Posidonia Shale. The name "Schandelopterus" is invalid and lacks any study, assigned without species to refer to the specimen on private German Fossil Groups. The pelvis indicates a laterally, slightly upwardly directed orientation of the acetabula which does not support a bird-like bipedal locomotion of this pterosaur as has been suggested on the past.
Parapsicephalus	cf. Parapsicephalus purdoni	Altdorf	Skull	A Rhamphorhynchinae Pterosaur. Has been assigned to the genus Dorygnathus. It has a really complete skull that can help to explain the status of the genus Parapsicephalus.
Dorygnathus	Dorygnathus banthensis Dorygnathus cf.banthensis Dorygnathus mistelgauensis Dorygnathus sp.	Banz Altdorf Mistelgau Schandelah Hondelange Beienrode Holzmaden Ohmden Dotternhausen	Complete Specimens Partial Specimens Isolated Skulls Isolated Skull Fragments Isolated Wing Phalanges Isolated Arm Fragments Isolated Ribs Isolated Vertebrae Isolated Femurs Isolated Tibias Isolated Leg Phalanges Isolated Teeth Non-mineralized tissues	A Rhamphorhynchinae Pterosaur. It is one of the best known Early Jurassic Pterosaurs. Unlike Campylognthoides, Dorygnathus was an oceanic hunter, with teeth disposed to catch marine prey, such as Belemnittes and several species of fishes. Dorygnathus mistelgauensis is considered a junior synonym until more data can be recovered from the specimen, held on a private collection.	Dorygnathus on terrestrial pose Nearly complete Dorygnathus
"Ohmdenodraco"	Rhamphorhynchinae ("Ohmdenodraco") indeterminate	Ohmden	Femur and a broken tibia-fibula.	A possible Rhamphorhynchinae Pterosaur. Like "Schandelopterus", "Ohmdenodraco" is an invalid name, used on private fossil groups to refer to SMNS 80439, assigned as "?Dorygnathus sp." originally, although characters on the tibia and femur are distinct to any Pterosaur found on the Posidonia.

Dinosauria

Possible teeth from Dinosaurs are known from the Lias Clay pit of Unterstürmig (Referred as "Various Archosaur teeth"). "Dinosaur Fossils" are cited to be present on several levels on Schandelah.

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Neotheropoda	Neotheropoda? Indeterminate	Schandelah Altdorf	Cervical Vertebrae Referred Teeth	An indeterminate possible Theropod dinosaur, possibly Neotheropoda. Hasn't been revised since 1984. The Cervical Vertebrae was found on Schandelah and was described as having a similar appearance and size to those found on the Triassic genus Pterospondylus (What would make it a late Coelophysidae member, with a length of 1.8 m). But can be alternatively from a Plesiosaur. A series of teeth found on Altdoft can include theropod teeths, probably from smaller specimens (speculated less than 60 cm animals).
Sauropodiformes	Sauropodiformes Indeterminate	Oedhof	3 cm long, tooth-studded fragment of a lower jaw	An indeterminate possible Sauropodomorph dinosaur, possibly a member of Sauropodiformes inside Anchisauria (Resemble Yunnanosaurus teeth). The Fossil was reported from the Lias Epsilon level, that on Oedhof is occupied by the Posidonia Shale. It was found with abundant Plant debris and Belemnite remains. Hasn't been revised since 1956	The Oedhof jaw can belong to a creature similar to Yunnanosaurus
Ohmdenosaurus	Ohmdenosaurus liasicus	Ohmden	Tibia and astragalus	A Gravisaurian Sauropod. One of the few formally described from the Toarcian. Has been related with Vulcanodon, although more recent studies placed it as a relative of Rhoetosaurus. It has been claimed to be a small sauropod with a size of 4 m, although the tibia measures 405 to 410 mm, leading to a 6.7 m long sauropod. Molina Pérez & Larramendi, estimated a modern size of 6.2 to 6.7 m long, with a weight of 1.3 tonnes.	Ohmdenosaurus

Synapsida

Genus	Species	Location	Material	Notes	Images
Cynodontia?	Cynodontia? Indeterminate	Banz Oedhof	Possible Teeth Possible Molar	Possible Cynodont Remains, Incertade sedis inside Cynodontia. The specimens were listed on several notes on the 1800s (As "mammal teeth"), although its existence has not been proved. Can be related to the Trithelodontidae or other late surviving Cynodonts by related characters, such as Irajatherium, but also to the Mammaliformes. If its presence is proved, it would be the first Synapsid found on the Posidonia Shale.	Morganucodon, example of Lower Jurassic Synapsid of Europe. The supposed synapsid teeth of the Posidonia Shale (in case of be proven to exist) maybe where related to this genus

External links

• Images of fossils in the Urwelt-Museum Hauff (Holzmaden)