Research: So what exactly do I do?

My primary area of research is into an extinct eel-like organism know as the conodont. Conodonts are considered by most to be basal vertebrates (although there is some contention around this issue). I would, by most in the field of paleontology, be considered an "invertebrate paleontologist. While the majority of my time is spent researching conodonts, I am interested in several other fossil groups including: ostracods, foraminifera, diatoms, radiolarians, and crinoids.

My study of conodonts has focused on those of Pennsylvanian (specifically the Middle and Upper Pennsylvanian) age. Genera of interest include: Idiognathodus, Streptognathodus, Adetognathus, Hindeodus, Neognathodus, Swadelina, Gondolella, and Idioprioniodus. With these genera, my primary concern is taxonomy. I'm currently working on a revision of conodont taxonomy from the Lost Branch to Dewey Cycles in the Midcontinent Basin of North America. It is a daunting task. Aside from taxonomic work I am interested in element function, biostratigraphy, evolution, and paleoecology/geography of these magnificent creatures.

My field research area ranges from south-central Oklahoma to eastern Nebraska-western Iowa. This is the outcrop belt for Pennsylvanian rocks in the Midcontinent Basin.

Other than paleontology, my interests included carbonate petrology, sedimentology, geoscience education, and weather/atmospheric systems.

Research: So what have I done?

So far my work has mostly been in the pursuit of getting my PhD in
geology from Texas Tech University. Below is a list of publications and conference abstracts that I have completed. The mode of presentation is listed for each of the conference abstracts.

PUBLICATIONS

Rosscoe, S. J. and Barrick, J. E., In Press (2008). Revision of Idiognathodus species from the Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian Boundary interval in the Midcontinent Basin, North America. In Over (ed.). Paleontographica Americana. Publication data pending.

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS

Rosscoe, S. J., 2008. Diversification of Idiognathodus P1 elements in the Upper Pennsylvanian Hushpuckney Shale (Swope Cyclothem), Midcontinent Basin, USA. North-central GSA Meeting: Publication data pending. (Talk)

Rosscoe, S. J. and Barrick, J. E., 2007. Revision of Idiognathodus species from the Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian Boundary interval in the Midcontinent Basin, North America. Geological Society of America: Abstracts with Programs Vol. 39, No. 6. (Talk)

Rosscoe, S. J., Barrick, J. E., Boardman II, D. R., and Heckel, P. H., 2006. Idiognathodus morphotypes across the Desmoinesian-Missourian Boundary in Midcontinent North America: Implications for placement and correlation of the Middle-Upper Pennsylvanian Boundary. International Conodont Symposium Programme and Abstracts 2006, p. 72. (Poster)

Rosscoe, S. J., Barrick, J. E., and Boardman II, D. R., 2005. Conodonts of the Desmoinesian (Middle Pennsylvanian) Lost Branch Formation, Midcontinent Basin, Oklahoma and Kansas. Geological Society of America: Abstracts with Programs Vol. 37, No. 3, p. 13. (Talk)

Rosscoe, S. J., 2004. Functional interpretation using Pa-element morphology and microwear patterns in Desmoinesian (Pennsylvanian) idiognathodid conodonts. Geological Society of America: Abstracts with Programs Vol. 36, No. 5, p. 61. (Poster)

THESES AND DISSERTATIONS

Rosscoe, S. J., 2004. Conodonts of the Desmoinesian (Middle Pennsylvanian) Lost Branch Formation, Oklahoma and Kansas. Masters Thesis for Texas Tech University, Department of Geosciences. [Link]
Clear Creek, Sasakwa, Oklahoma. On the way to an outcropping of the Frances Shale (Swope Cyclothem).

In a small creek south of Hogshooter, Oklahoma. Looking at and collecting the "New Harmony Shale" (Cherryvale Cyclothem).

Image plate from the upcoming publication of Rosscoe, S. J. and Barrick, J. E., 2008 in Paleontographic Americana.
 

All photos, illustrations, and documents on this page are the intellectual property of Steven J. Rosscoe. Any use of this material should be cited appropriately and permission for use should be given by stevenjrosscoe@yahoo.com .