James Hall Jr. (September 12, 1811 – August 7, 1898) was an American geologist and paleontologist . He was a noted authority on stratigraphy and had an influential role in the development of paleontology in the United States.
61-458: Nanahughmilleria ("dwarf Hughmilleria ") is a genus of eurypterid , an extinct group of aquatic arthropods . Fossils of Nanahughmilleria have been discovered in deposits of Devonian and Silurian age in the United States , Norway , Russia , England and Scotland , and have been referred to several different species. Nanahughmilleria is classified in the family Adelophthalmidae ,
122-526: A Scottish geologist and writer who found fossils of eurypterids of the Silurian, among them Hughmilleria . A variety of H. socialis was also described, Hughmilleria socialis var. robusta , but currently it is considered a synonym of the species mentioned. Four years later, a second species was discovered among the fauna of the Shawangunk grit at Otisville . It was described as Hughmilleria shawangunk and
183-576: A geological survey of northern Michigan and Wisconsin, where he identified the first fossil reefs ever found in North America. He was appointed state geologist for Iowa (1855–1858) and Wisconsin (1857–1860). In addition, several other state survey programs sought out Hall for his expertise and advice. In 1866 he was made director of the New York State Museum of Natural History in Albany. In 1893 he
244-524: A multi-year survey was established to collect information on the geology and natural history of New York. For purposes of the survey, the state was divided into four districts, and Hall became assistant geologist for Ebenezer Emmons , chief of the Second District. Hall's initial assignment was to study iron deposits in the Adirondack Mountains . The following year the survey was reorganized: Hall
305-458: A new genus for N. prominens , Clintonipterus . As in N. pygmaea , this species was assigned to Nanahughmilleria in 1961. In 1911, the Norwegian paleontologist and geologist Johan Aschehoug Kiær described a new species of Eurypterus , E. norvegica . The carapace of this species was parabolic (approximately U-shaped) with small intramarginal arcuate eyes. The metastoma (a large plate that
366-560: A poorly preserved carapace which was semi-oval and elongated, with a narrow margin surrounding it. The posterior margin was slightly concave. There is only one preserved eye, which was reniform, large and rose slightly from the surface of the carapace. At the closest point between both eyes, the ocelli were placed. The fossils were found at the Matarak Formation in Minusinsk , Siberia . Kjellesvig-Waering and Willard P. Leutze noticed that
427-465: A slightly wider carapace than in the other species. Measuring 6 cm (2 in) in length, H. wangi is the smallest known species of Hughmilleria and of the Pterygotioidea superfamily. In addition, if the problematic H. lanceolata , which has been suggested by some researchers to belong to this genus, really did so, it would extend the range of Hughmilleria to the Silurian of Scotland. It
488-436: A subtriangular carapace outline with the pterygotids and the wide telson and genital appendages of all three taxa were similar, although the genital appendages of Hughmilleria and Herefordopterus were more similar to those of Slimonia by the division of these into three segments, in contrast to the undivided morphology in the pterygotids. Still, Hughmilleria and Herefordopterus differed from pterygotids and slimonids by
549-515: Is a genus of eurypterid , an extinct group of aquatic arthropods . Fossils of Hughmilleria have been discovered in deposits of the Silurian age in China and the United States . Classified as part of the basal family Hughmilleriidae , the genus contains three species, H. shawangunk from the eastern United States , H. socialis from Pittsford, New York , and H. wangi from Hunan , China . The genus
610-540: Is considered a eurypterid of small size. Hughmilleria is the most basal (primitive) known member of the Pterygotioidea . It was a small-sized eurypterid, with the largest specimen measuring 20 cm (8 in), being surpassed by other members of its superfamily, such as Slimonia acuminata , which measured 100 cm (39 in) in length, and Pterygotus grandidentatus , which could reach 1.75 meters (5 ft 8 in). The telson (the most posterior segment of
671-559: Is currently considered as nomen nudum ("naked name", a name coined without an adequate or completely missing description of it). The fossils mentioned by Banks consisted of two specimens, the first of which included carapace with the first five tergites ( dorsal parts of the body segments) and the 8th and 9th segments of the swimming leg and the second including another nearly complete carapace. Both were collected in Kington , Herefordshire . N. pygmaea had an elongated carapace rounded along
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#1733114961528732-641: Is in honor of Junqing Wang, who found the fossil of the species in 1992. This species was recovered from the Xiaoxiyu Formation of Hunan, in deposits that suggest that it lived in the Telychian age of the Silurian, which makes it the oldest eurypterid discovered in China. H. wangi differs from the North American species by the presence of epimera (lateral "extensions" of the segment) on the entire postabdomen and
793-409: Is known. These were of Hughmilleria -type and with rather small spines. The telson was small and wedge-shaped, known from fragmentary remains. The metasoma (the posterior "part" of the body) was notably narrower than the mesosoma (the "median part"). The total size of the species could be of 9 cm (3.5 in), being one of the largest species of Nanahughmilleria . This species differs from the others in
854-444: Is named after James Hall. It is officially known as Hall Hall. In 1838 Hall married Sarah Aikin , the daughter of a Troy lawyer. They had two daughters and two sons. Sarah helped illustrate some of Hall's publications. In 1849 she published an illustrated book of poetry, Phantasia, and other poems . Included in this volume was her English translation of Schiller's Ritter Toggenburg . She died in 1895. A comprehensive listing of
915-493: Is named in honor of the Scottish geologist Hugh Miller . H. socialis is the type species of Hughmilleriidae , a eurypterid family classified in the superfamily Pterygotioidea that is differentiated by their streamlined bodies, the enlargement of their medium-sized chelicerae and the presence of paired spines on the walking appendages . With the biggest specimen measuring 20 centimetres (8 inches) in length, Hughmilleria
976-459: Is part of the abdomen) was oval. Its operculum (a plate-like segment which contains the genital aperture) had a long, narrow spatulae (compared to most eurypterids). The telson was lanceolate, with a keel on both dorsal and ventral sides. It had a pair of spines in each podomere of the fifth appendage. The paddle of the swimming leg was relatively wide. It was designated the type species of Nanahughmilleria by Kjellesvig-Waering in his description of
1037-484: Is probably not an adelophthalmid , but an eurypteroid . Other species such as N. notosibirica reached 9 cm (3.5 in) in length, while N. pygmaea had a total length of 8 cm (3.1 in). Nanahughmilleria had long and narrow reniform (bean-shaped) eyes placed in an intramarginal (occurring within the margin) position. The streamlined form of its body indicates that Nanahughmilleria was an active swimmer adapted to swim crosscurrent. It had epimera (lateral "extensions" of
1098-550: The James Hall Office , the laboratory was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976. Among his many works, James Hall identified that stromatolite fossils discovered at Petrified Sea Gardens , a site near Saratoga Springs, New York that is now also a National Historic Landmark, were originally organic. After his work in New York, Hall extended his studies to other regions of the country. In 1850 Hall participated in
1159-473: The Latin word nana ("dwarf") and Hughmilleria . N. clarkei is based on a series of fossils described and assigned to Hughmilleria shawangunk by John Mason Clarke and Rudolf Ruedemann in 1912. They believed that the carapaces with intramarginal eyes were modified by the compression. While this could happen in a single specimen, it is impossible to be in so many. Kjellesvig-Waering realized this and erected
1220-679: The Llandovery and Ludlow epochs . Together with its close relatives, Hughmilleria dominated the communities in brackish and fresh water , while Pterygotus and Eurypterus dominated marine environments. The Silurian deposits of the Pittsford Shale Member in which fossils of H. socialis have been found shelter various faunas of eurypterids, including Mixopterus multispinosus , Erettoperus osiliensis , Eurypterus pittsfordensis and Carcinosoma spiniferus , among others. Fossils from other organisms were also found, such as
1281-945: The Silurian deposits of the Llandovery epoch to the Devonian deposits of the Eifelian epoch in North America , Europe and Siberia. It is believed that Nanahughmilleria , along with Parahughmilleria , Hughmilleria and the pterygotids , lived mainly in shallow lakes. In addition, the streamlined shape of the body of Nanahughmilleria suggests that it was an active swimmer capable of swimming against currents. Nanahughmilleria can occur in an environment where eurypterids were abundant or scarce. The Silurian deposits of Ringerike , Norway , where fossils of N. norvegica have been discovered, include fossil remains of Mixopterus kiaeri , Stylonuroides dolichopteroides , Kiaeropterus ruedemanni and Erettopterus holmi , among other organisms like
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#17331149615281342-422: The anterior margin which narrows gradually anteriorly. A thin rim surrounded the carapace. The eyes were narrow, reniform and intramarginal. Its ocelli (light-sensitive simple eyes) were very small and located centrally. As in most eurypterid groups, the chelae (pincers) were small. It differs from other species in the more convergent form of the carapace and in the large size of the eyes, which were furthest from
1403-454: The crustacean Ceratiocaris and the ostracod Leperditia . Geological features of the formation, such as the friable and calcareous mudstone , the argillaceous dolomite and the lithology and associated biota suggests that the environment was marginal marine, very shallow and probably brackish. James Hall (paleontologist) James Hall was born in Hingham, Massachusetts ,
1464-669: The malacostracan Dictyocaris slimoni or the chasmataspidid Kiaeria limuloides . On the other hand, Nanahughmilleria schiraensis and Parahughmilleria matakarensis are the only animals of the Devonian deposits of Khakassia , Russia, together with land plants . In addition, the English species N. pygmaea from the Silurian has been associated with Salteropterus abbreviatus , Parahughmilleria salteri , Erettopterus spatulatus and Herefordopterus banksii , as well as some indeterminate species of cephalaspidomorphs and coelolepids . In
1525-633: The waeringopteroids ), as inferred by O. Erik Tetlie and Markus Poschmann in 2008, based on the results of a 2008 analysis specifically pertaining to the Adelophthalmoidea and a preceding 2004 analysis. Orcanopterus Waeringopterus Grossopterus Eysyslopterus Bassipterus Pittsfordipterus Nanahughmilleria Parahughmilleria Adelophthalmus Hughmilleria Herefordopterus Slimonia Erettopterus Pterygotus Acutiramus Jaekelopterus Fossils of Nanahughmilleria have been found from
1586-463: The Pterygotidae. In 1961, Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering split Hughmilleria into two subgenera , Hughmilleria ( Hughmilleria ) and Hughmilleria ( Nanahughmilleria ), although Nanahughmilleria would be later raised to the genus level. In 2007, a new species of Hughmilleria from Hunan, China, was described as H. wangi based on an almost complete specimen (CNU-E-HLT2006001). The specific name
1647-521: The Silurian deposits of the Shawangunk Formation , Pennsylvania , N. clarkei occur together with Parahughmilleria maria , Ruedemannipterus stylonuroides , Hardieopterus myops and Hughmilleria shawangunk . Species of the gnathostomes Vernonaspis and Arthrophycus have also been found. Nanahughmilleria fossils have also been found in Scotland. Hughmilleria Hughmilleria
1708-518: The appendages II–V were spiniferous. The genus is in various ways similar to the more derived eurypterids of its superfamily, the Pterygotioidea, however, it lacked the expanded and flattened telson that the pterygotids and Slimonia had. This suggests that Hughmilleria did not need to use the telson as a rudder to swim. Hughmilleria is distinguished from other members of Pterygotioidea by its streamlined body, its subquadrate prosoma (head), its medium-sized chelicerae, its small overall size and
1769-517: The back), very small spatulae and increased spinosity in the appendages suggest a more basal position. Before 2004, Nanahughmilleria was classified in the Hughmilleriidae family. The cladogram below presents the inferred phylogenetic positions of most of the genera included in the three most derived superfamilies of the Eurypterina suborder of eurypterids (Adelophthalmoidea, Pterygotioidea and
1830-416: The body), which was lanceolate and styliform, is distinctly a Eurypterus -like feature. The marginal compound eyes , the relatively large chelae and the cordate (heart-shaped) metastoma (a large plate that is part of the abdomen) show a great resemblance to Pterygotus . The carapace was parabolic or subquadrate with oval marginal eyes, the chelicerae were able to extend beyond the carapace margin and
1891-417: The eyes and the relatively large chelae . However, by its cordate metastoma , the intramarginal to marginal position of the compound eyes , the slightly longer preoral appendages, less developed swimming legs and the opercular appendage, Hughmilleria was more like Pterygotus . The cladogram presented below, derived from a 2007 study by researcher O. Erik Tetlie, showcases the interrelationships between
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1952-404: The family Nanahughmilleridae in a thesis to contain the adelophthalmoids with no or reduced genital spatulae and the second to fifth pair of prosomal appendages of Hughmilleria -type. This family contained Nanahughmileria , Pittsfordipterus and perhaps Parahughmilleria . However, the clade has almost never been used in subsequent studies and lists of eurypterids, and instead, they classify
2013-425: The genus was N. norvegica at 10 cm (3.9 in), making it a comparatively small eurypterid. Like the other adelophthalmid eurypterids , Nanahughmilleria was a comparatively small eurypterid. The largest species confidently assigned to the genus, N. norvegica , only reached 10 cm (3.9 in), while the smallest one, N. clarkei , did not exceed 4 cm (1.6 in). Although N. lanceolata reached 16 cm (6.3 in), this species
2074-412: The gnathobase, a lower appendage used in the alimentation) teeth on appendage VI, unlike Herefordopterus and the pterygotids, who had 12-13. Therefore, Hughmilleria represents the most basal form of Pterygotioidea. According to Clifton J. Sarle, Hughmilleria was very similar to Eurypterus , and could be confused with a species of this genus if it was not for the presence of the marginal position of
2135-481: The margin. This species reached a length of 8 cm (3.1 in) in total. Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering classified this species as part of the subgenus Hughmilleria ( Nanahughmilleria ) in 1961 along many other species. In 1884, James Hall described another species of Eurypterus , E. prominens , based on a single carapace from the Clinton Group , a geological formation of the United States . This species differs from
2196-471: The morphology of the eyes, H. ( Hughmilleria ) for species with large ovoid marginal eyes and H. ( Nanahughmilleria ) for species with small reniform intramarginal eyes. For the latter one, H. ( N. ) norvegica was designated as subgenotype. He assigned a total of seven species to the subgenus, of which only four (two of them tentatively) are still in Nanahughmilleria . The generic name is composed by
2257-613: The nanahughmillerids as part of Adelophthalmidae. A basal clade between Bassipterus and Pittsfordipterus is better supported than the Nanahughmilleridae, while Nanahughmilleria is considered the sister taxon (closest relative) of the "derived clade" composed by Parahughmilleria and Adelophthalmus . These eurypterids shared a series of characteristics such as the almost identical carapace, paddle, eye shapes and eye position. However, its short telson, thin cuticular sculpture (ornamentation consisting of small, minute, scales across
2318-671: The oldest of four children. His parents, James Hall Sr. and Sousanna Dourdain Hall, had emigrated from England two years earlier. Hall developed an early interest in science and enrolled in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute , a recently established college that emphasized student participation and focused on science. He was a student of Amos Eaton and Ebenezer Emmons , both notable geologists. Hall graduated with honors in 1832, received his master's degree in 1833, and remained at Rensselaer to teach chemistry and later geology. In 1836
2379-449: The only clade in the superfamily Adelophthalmoidea . This clade was characterised by their small size, their parabolic (approximately U-shaped) carapaces and the presence of epimera (lateral "extensions" of the segment) on the seventh segment, among others. Nanahughmilleria was different from its relatives by the presence of more spines in its appendages (limbs) and by its genital morphology . The largest species confidently assigned to
2440-420: The others by the anterior position of its eyes placed in a submarginal (almost in the margin) point, unlike other species of Nanahughmilleria and Parahughmilleria . In addition, the carapace of this species was long and with ocelli placed forward. It has been suggested that this species could represent a separate genus. In fact, notes left by Kjellesvig-Waering in museum drawers indicate that he wanted to erect
2501-485: The presence of paired spines on the walking appendages, that along with the characteristics that Slimonia and Ciurcopterus share, suggest that the hughmilleriids were more distant from the pterygotids than Slimonia was. Within Hughmilleriidae, both genera possessed a marginal rim much broader anteriorly than posteriorly and appendages spiniferous of Hughmilleria -type, but Hughmilleria had 18-20 gnathobasic (of
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2562-414: The proportions of the body and position of the eyes. In addition, the species N. lanceolata is tentatively classified as part of Nanahughmilleria . This species was originally described by Salter in 1856 as another species of his new genus Himantopterus (a preoccupied name, now Erettopterus ). The swimming legs of this species were long and narrow, reaching the sixth segment of the body. The telson
2623-509: The pterygotioid eurypterids. Hughmilleria wangi Hughmilleria socialis Hughmilleria shawangunk Herefordopterus banksii Slimonia acuminata Ciurcopterus ventricosus Pterygotus anglicus Jaekelopterus rhenaniae Acutiramus macrophthalmus Acutiramus bohemicus Erettopterus bilobus Erettopterus serricaudatus Erettopterus osiliensis Erettopterus waylandsmithi Fossils of Hughmilleria have been found in Silurian deposits from
2684-403: The segment) present in the seventh segment, separating the preadomen (body segments 1 to 7) from the postabodmen (segments 8 to 12). The genital spatulae, a long, flat piece in the genital aperture, was very short. The walking legs (first to fifth appendages) of Nanahughmilleria were probably of Hughmilleria -type, that is, with a pair of spines in each podomere (leg segment). The paddle of
2745-444: The species N. clarkei in 1964, named after Clarke, who described the original Shawangunk eurypterid fauna. This small species of only 4 cm (1.6 in) had a lanceolate carapace with intramarginal eyes located anteriorly. The telson was broad and lanceolate. This species is characterized by the presence of spurs in the genal angles (a "flat" part of the carapace edge). It would not be until 2012 when another new species, N. notosibirica ,
2806-505: The species did not really represent a Rhenopterus and they assigned it in 1966 to its current genus. It has been suggested that this species is a synonym of P. matarakensis , but the Russian paleontologist Evgeniy S. Shpinev does not agree with this since the prosoma of N. schiraensis was longer and its eyes were closer to the margin than in P. matarakensis . In 1961, Kjellesvig-Waering separated Hughmilleria into two subgenera according to
2867-407: The subgenus. N. norvegica was the largest species of Nanahughmilleria , measuring 10 cm (3.9 in, with the exception of N. lanceolata , which may represent a separate genus). In 1957, L. P. Pirozhnikov described two new species of eurypterids, N. schiraensis and Parahughmilleria matarakensis , and erroneously assigned them to the stylonurine genus Rhenopterus . This species is only known by
2928-823: The survey of the fourth geological district, which was published as Geology of New York , Part IV. (1843). It was received with much acclaim and became a classic in the field. Hall had built a solid reputation and was to devote the rest of his life to stratigraphic geology and invertebrate paleontology . He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1854. Hall built a laboratory in Albany, New York , which became an important center of study and training for aspiring geologists and paleontologists. Many notable scientists began their career serving an apprenticeship with Hall, including Fielding Meek , Charles Walcott , Charles Beecher and Josiah Whitney . Now known as
2989-515: The swimming leg was relatively wide. As in the other adelophthalmids, the telson was lanceolate and not very expanded. Nanahughmilleria is only distinguished from the more derived members of Adelophthalmidae in the shorter and smaller spatulae and in the increased spinosity in the appendages. The first species of what today is recognized as Nanahughmilleria was described in 1859 by John William Salter as " Eurypterus pygmaeus ". Although Richard Banks first mentioned this species in 1856, this act
3050-555: The various characteristics it shares with Eurypterus . The genus Hughmilleria was erected by the American geologist Clifton J. Sarle in 1903 to contain the species H. socialis , which was recovered for the first time in the Pittsford Shale Member of the Vernon Formation , New York . This species is the most abundant species of pterygotioid in the area with around 450 specimens found. The generic name derives from Hugh Miller ,
3111-664: Was a founding member of the National Academy of Sciences and the first president of the Geological Society of America . He was one of the founders of the International Geologic Congress and served as a vice-president at their sessions in Paris, Bologna, and Berlin. He was elected one of the fifty foreign members of the Geological Society of London in 1848, and in 1858 was awarded its Wollaston Medal . In 1884 he
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#17331149615283172-474: Was appointed the State Geologist of New York. Between 1847 and 1894 Hall published 13 volumes of The Palaeontology of New York , his principal contribution in the field. This massive work consisted of over 4500 pages and 1000 full-page illustrations. In addition, Hall wrote more than 30 other books, published over 1000 works, and contributed sections to several federal and state publications on geology. He
3233-478: Was described by Shpinev. This species is known from two specimens, the holotype (PIN 1139/1) and paratype (PIN 1139/2). Its specific name, notosibirica , comes from the Greek word notos (southern) and Siberia, referring to the place where it was discovered. The carapace was parabolic and surrounded by a narrow marginal rim and with elongated eyes probably reniform. Only the fourth and fifth pair of prosomal appendages
3294-702: Was elected correspondent of the French Academy of Sciences . At the age of 85 he traveled to St. Petersburg to attend the International Geological Congress and also participate in an expedition to the Ural Mountains . Hall died two years later in Bethlehem, New Hampshire . He is buried at the Albany Rural Cemetery , Albany, New York. A residence hall at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
3355-412: Was erected in 1912 by John Mason Clarke and Rudolf Ruedemann to constitute a group for the genera Pterygotus , Slimonia , Hastimima and Hughmilleria . However, Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering emended the family in 1951, when the genera Hastimima , Hughmilleria , Grossopterus and Slimonia were referred to their own family, the Hughmilleriidae , which left Pterygotus as the only genus within
3416-492: Was lanceolate and with a keel in the middle. All known specimens of N. lanceolata lack eyes, making it difficult to determine their phylogenetic position. However, the prosomal and genital appendages were not typical of the Adelophthalmoidea, but probably of the Eurypteroidea . Nanahughmilleria is classified as part of the family Adelophthalmidae , the only family within the superfamily Adelophthalmoidea . Nanahughmilleria
3477-453: Was originally considered a subgenus of Hughmilleria , but Kjellesvig-Waering and Leutze considered it sufficiently different from Hughmilleria and elevated the subgenus to the genus level. It is the only polyphyletic genus (with grouped species that do not share an immediate common ancestor ) of Adelophthlmidae, with the species N. prominens and N. lanceolata probably representing new and different forms. In 2004, O. Erik Tetlie erected
3538-415: Was originally described as a new species of the new genus Himantopterus (a preoccupied name, now Erettopterus ) by the English geologist and paleontologist John William Salter . The body of this species was elongate and attenuated behind. Its telson was lanceolated and its swimming legs were narrow. This species has also been related to Nanahughmilleria , but recent studies suggest that H. lanceolata
3599-538: Was probably closer to Eurypteroidea . However, the lack of eyes on all specimens of H. lanceolata hinders the resolution of its phylogenetic position. Hughmilleria is classified within the family Hughmilleriidae in the superfamily Pterygotioidea . Historically Hughmilleria was first considered a member of the Pterygotidae until it was assigned to its own family alongside other genera that would later be reclassified. Hughmilleria and Herefordopterus shared
3660-491: Was put in charge of the Fourth District, in western New York. Other notable geologists working on the survey included Lardner Vanuxem and Timothy Conrad . Working together, the survey staff developed a stratigraphy for New York and set a precedent for naming stratigraphic divisions based on local geography. At the end of the survey in 1841, Hall was named the first state paleontologist. In 1843 he made his final report on
3721-407: Was smaller than H. socialis . The temporal range of H. shawangunk has been placed between the Llandovery and Ludlow epoch . The largest specimens measured 12 cm (5 in) in length, and differ from the type species by the carapace, which was broader, and the compound eyes which were larger and more prominent than the eyes of H. socialis , among other aspects. The family Pterygotidae
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