Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Paleontological Survey

Alison L. Koch, Vincent L. Santucci, and Ted R. Weasma

Technical Report NPS/NRGRD/GRDTR-04/01

United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service - Geologic Resources Division

Paleontological Survey

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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 29

Santa Monica Mountains

 National Recreation Area

Paleontological Survey

Alison L. Koch

Vincent L. Santucci

Ted R. Weasma

Geologic Resources Division

National Park Service

Denver, Colorado

NPS/NRGRD/GRDTR-04/01

2004
30
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 31

Dedicated to Norma Agusta Steiner and Margaret Llewellyn Koch
32
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 33

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................................................................1

SIGNIFICANCE OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES....................................................................................................................1

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND..........................................................................................................................................................2

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY...........................................................................................................................................................3

Scope of Collections..............................................................................................................................................3

Draft Comprehensive Design Plan, Simi Hills, Environmental Assessment.........................................3

Calabasas Landfill Special Use Permit, Environmental Assessment.........................................................3

Water Resources Management Plan...................................................................................................................3

Land Protection Plan.............................................................................................................................................3

Resource Management Plan.................................................................................................................................3

Museum Management Plan.................................................................................................................................3

General Management Plan...................................................................................................................................3

Fire Management Plan..........................................................................................................................................4

Draft Long -Range Interpretive Plan...............................................................................................................4

Trail Management Plan.........................................................................................................................................4

GEOLOGY...............................................................................................................................................................................................4

GEOLOGIC HISTORY....................................................................................................................................................................4

FOSSILIFEROUS ROCK FORMATIONS...........................................................................................................................................6

TAXONOMY............................................................................................................................................................................................8

MICROFOSSILS.............................................................................................................................................................................8

FOSSIL PLANTS............................................................................................................................................................................8

FOSSIL INVERTEBRATES...............................................................................................................................................................8

FOSSIL VERTEBRATES...................................................................................................................................................................8

TRACE FOSSILS............................................................................................................................................................................9

LOCALITIES..........................................................................................................................................................................................9

OLD TOPANGA CANYON (AMPHITHEATER)...............................................................................................................................9

FOSSIL FISH LOCALITIES IN THE MODELO FORMATION..........................................................................................................10

PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT..........................................................................................................10

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE POLICY.............................................................................................................................................10

MONITORING..............................................................................................................................................................................11

Climatological Data Assessments......................................................................................................................11

Rates of Erosion Studies......................................................................................................................................11

Assessment of Human Activities, Behaviors, and Other Variables............................................................11

Condition Assessment and Cyclic Prospecting............................................................................................11

Periodic Photographic Monitoring.................................................................................................................11

STABILIZATION/REBURIAL...........................................................................................................................................................11

SHELTERS.....................................................................................................................................................................................11

EXCAVATION................................................................................................................................................................................11

CLOSURE.....................................................................................................................................................................................11

PATROLS.......................................................................................................................................................................................11

ALARM SYSTEMS/ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE........................................................................................................................11

BASELINE PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE INVENTORIES..........................................................................................................11

PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE PROTECTION...............................................................................................................12
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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 35

RESEARCH............................................................................................................................................................................................12

CURRENT RESEARCH.................................................................................................................................................................12

POTENTIAL RESEARCH...............................................................................................................................................................13

Old Topanga Canyon (Amphitheater)............................................................................................................13

Further Investigation of Fossils Fish Beds......................................................................................................13

Inventory of Fossil Wood Deposits.................................................................................................................13

PERMIT SYSTEM.........................................................................................................................................................................13

FUNDING....................................................................................................................................................................................13

LITERATURE SURVEY...................................................................................................................................................................13

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS/CURATION...................................................................................................................................13

INTERPRETATION............................................................................................................................................................................15

CURRENT EFFORTS....................................................................................................................................................................15

PALEONTOLOGICAL THEMES.....................................................................................................................................................15

INTERPRETIVE POTENTIAL.........................................................................................................................................................15

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................................................................................16

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT........................................................................................................................................................16

RESOURCE PROTECTION............................................................................................................................................................16

RESEARCH..................................................................................................................................................................................16

MUSEUM MANAGEMENT AND COLLECTIONS..........................................................................................................................16

INTERPRETATION.........................................................................................................................................................................16

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................................................................................16

REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................................................................17

REFERENCES CITED...................................................................................................................................................................17

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................................19

APPENDICES.......................................................................................................................................................................................21

A: PALEONTOLOGICAL SPECIES LIST..................................................................................................................21

FOSSILS EXAMINED IN LACM REPOSITORIES.........................................................................................................21

FOSSILS HELD IN SAMO REPOSITORY....................................................................................................................23

B: REPOSITORIES FOR ADDITIONAL SAMO FOSSIL SPECIMENS...........................................................25

C: CURRENT PALEONTOLOGY RESEARCHERS WORKING IN THE SAMO AREA...........................27
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 1

of the fauna, both marine and terrestrial, is extraordinary

with many new species named from the Santa Monica

Mountains. The quality of preservation is remarkable

in many specimens, especially the fully articulated

skeletons of fossil fish that can be compared to the caliber

of the world- famous Eocene Green River Formation

fossil fish from Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.

SAMO has the opportunity to assess fossil flora and

fauna with the modern in neighboring locations. For

example, many of the fossils are marine and can be

compared with the modern ocean system. This provides

a wealth of exciting interpretive prospects.

 Additionally, the fossils from SAMO have historical

and cultural significance. The local community has roots

in fossil collecting since the turn of the 20th century,

with many adults maintaining their enthusiasm for

fossils from childhood visits to localities in the Santa

Monica Mountains.

Figure 1. Location Map of the Santa Monica Mountains

National Recreation Area.

 INTRODUCTION

 he large number and wide variety of

 fossils found throughout Santa Monica

Mountains National Recreation Area (SAMO)

contribute to one of the richest fossil areas preserved

within the National Park Service. This project represents

the fourth park-specific comprehensive paleontological

resource inventory in the National Park Service,

following Yellowstone National Park, Death Valley

National Park, and Arches National Park. SAMO has

been widely known to contain significant

paleontological resources; however, this survey has

expanded our understanding of just how rich and

diverse the fossils from the park are.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

was established in 1978 to preserve a portion of the

rugged mountains, a coastline with sandy beaches and

rocky shores, and chaparral canyons.

The park encompasses an area with a myriad of

different landowners and jurisdictions (Figure 1). The

national recreation area includes a total of 150,050 acres,

with 21,500 discontinuous acres directly controlled by

the National Park Service. Therefore, SAMO

management consistently considers the actions of

neighboring landowners. Currently, the largest

landowner within the SAMO boundary is the California

State Parks with 42,000 acres. Approximately 6,000 acres

of private recreation and local public parkland exist,

and once acquisitions are complete, a total of 50,000

acres will reside in private ownership. In addition to

multiple landowners, over 70 governmental entities

share jurisdiction within the SAMO boundary,

including the city of Malibu. This report summarizes

data on the known paleontological resources from all

the lands within the over-arching boundary (150, 050

acres) of the Santa Monica Mountains National

Recreation Area. This is necessary as the fossil resources

are found throughout the area and resource impacts,

such as non-permitted collecting and erosion, are

occurring regardless of the land ownership.

SIGNIFICANCE OF PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

contains one of the most extensive and diverse

assemblages of fossil material known in the National

Park Service. There are at least 2,300 known fossil

localities, representing over a dozen fossiliferous

geologic formations. Invertebrate, vertebrate,

paleobotanical, protista, and trace fossils occur, ranging

in age from the Late Jurassic to Pleistocene. The diversity

 T
2

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

One of the earliest accounts of paleontological

research within the Santa Monica Mountains is a 1907

article in the Proceedings of the U. S. National Museum

by Ralph Arnold, a U. S. Geological Survey

paleontologist. Marine invertebrate species lists from

Topanga and Temescal Canyons were included in his

publication. Although no longer valid practice, Arnold

indicated the importance of the local fossils when he

stated that, “the differentiation of the various geologic

formations in the southern Coast Ranges of California

depends almost entirely upon their paleontology...”

Charles Waring described many new invertebrate

species in a 1917 report that focused on localities within

the Martinez, Tejon, and Chico Formations.

Loye Holmes Miller described bird material from

the Santa Monica Mountains area in the 1920s. A

Pleistocene diving goose, Chendytes, and a new Miocene

cormorant were the topics of study (Miller, 1925 and

1929).

H. W. Hoots, U. S. Geological Survey, described the

geology of the eastern Santa Monica Mountains (1930).

During this project, Hoots, with help from W. P.

Woodring, made mention of numerous fossils, the

localities, and also made collections. This report is still

one of the most comprehensive documents regarding

the paleontology of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Grant and Hertlein (1938) studied the echinoids of

Cenozoic Western America, Compton (1944) focused

on Paleocene gastropods from southern California, and

Popenoe (1954 and 1973) researched a variety of Mesozoic

invertebrates from southern California.

Both Cretaceous and Tertiary fossil fishes were the

topic of study for French paleontologist Lore Rose

David (1939, 1941, 1943, and 1948; David and Stock, 1939).

She reported on a number of localities within the current

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

boundary and hundreds of her specimens are held at

the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Takeo Susuki researched the stratigraphic

paleontology of the Topanga Formation for his UCLA

Master’s Thesis (1951) and published some of the work

in a Geologic Society of America abstract (1952) and in a

Topanga Canyon Historical Society book (1992).

Susuki’s extensive collections are housed at the Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Richard Pierce, in association with the Richfield Oil

Corporation, reported on Miocene foraminifera and

fishes from the Benedict Canyon in the eastern Santa

Monica Mountains. This 1956 report focuses on

analyzing many of the fish scales that were originally

collected in 1943 by Tom Baldwin, a senior geologist

with the Monterey Oil Company.

Tatsuro Matsumoto (1959) reported on the Upper

Cretaceous ammonites of California, including a

spectacular specimen from the Santa Monica Mountains.

Figure 2. Avian Paleontologist, Dr. Hildegarde Howard,

analyzing fossil bird collections in 1939. Photo courtesy

of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Museum Archives.

The Cretaceous Eupachydiscus lamberti is an

extraordinarily large ammonite (approximately 2ft. x

1.5ft.) collected from the Tuna Canyon Formation in Santa

Ynez Canyon. The specimen is currently housed at the

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (see

Figure 5).

Marine mammals (Sirenia and Desmostylia) from

the Santa Monica Mountains region were studied by

Roy Reinhart in 1959 and again by Mitchell in 1963.

A variety of Miocene seabirds were the focus of

Hildegarde Howard’s work in the late 1950s and early

1960s (see Figure 2). Most notable is the publication

related to the second record of the Miocene “toothed”

bird, Osteodontornis (Howard and White, 1962). This

bird had a 15-foot wingspan and large bony “teeth” in

the upper and lower jaws. Howard’s collections are

stored at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

County.

Ralph Imlay (1963) remarked upon the Jurassic

invertebrate fossils from the Santa Monica Slate near

Mandeville Canyon.

W. O. Addicott (1964), U. S. Geological Survey in

Menlo Park, California, studied the Pleistocene
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 3

invertebrates from the Dume terrace, approximately 2

miles from Point Dume. These fossil invertebrates

included gastropods, bivalves, echinoderms, and

crustaceans.

Further work on fossil fish from the area was

conducted by Jules Crane (1966) in a study of viperfish

radiation, comparing Recent and Miocene species.

Additionally, a report on the fish family Moridae was

written by John Fitch and Lloyd Barker (1972).

Lawrence Barnes (1977 and 1985) researched cetacean

assemblages, including a report on the late Miocene

dolphin Pithanodelphis.

Yerkes and Campbell (1979 and 1980), U.S.

Geological Survey scientists, discovered fossils while

conducting geologic mapping projects in the Santa

Monica Mountains. Many of these fossil localities were

marked on their geologic maps. The most recent

geologic map (1994) by Yerkes, Campbell, and Alderson

covers the Topanga Quadrangle.

Ronald Fritzsche (1980) discussed both Recent and

fossil forms of the eastern Pacific fish family

Syngnathidae, which includes seahorses and pipefishes.

Fossil mammals gained attention in the Santa Monica

Mountains area in the late 1980s from Hutchison (1987)

and Jefferson (1989). Hutchison reported on Pliocene

and Pleistocene moles and Jefferson described Late

Cenozoic tapirs.

Comprehensive mapping and compilations of

geologic mapping of the Santa Monica Mountains,

including identification of fossil localities, has been

published by the Dibblee Foundation (Dibblee, 1991a,

1991b, 1991c, 1991d, 1992a, 1992b, 1992c, 1992d, and 1993;

Dibblee and Ehrenspeck, 1990a, 1990b, 1992, 1993a, and

1993b).

Carol Stadum and Peter Weigand (1999) reported

on fossil wood from the Miocene Conejo Volcanics

within the Santa Monica Mountains. During this work,

fossil coniferous and dicotyledonous woods were

collected and later identified by thin-section analysis.

Additionally, this report is the first record of fossil trees

in a tuff breccia from the Los Angeles basin region.

LouElla Saul, now a Research Associate at the

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Invertebrate Paleontology, has conducted extensive

research in the Santa Monica Mountains. Reports have

been published on Cretaceous bivalves from the Pacific

(Saul, 1978; and Saul and Popenoe, 1992), as well as on

Paleogene molluscan faunal sequences (Saul, 1983a and

1983b).

Richard Squires, currently at California State

University, Northridge, has worked extensively on the

invertebrate fauna of the Santa Monica Mountains. Since

the 1980s, Squires has researched and published primarily

on Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Eocene gastropods and

Paleocene crabs and bivalves (1980, 1990, and 1993;

Squires and Kennedy, 1998). Squires and Saul have also

co-written many articles relating to the invertebrate

fauna of the Santa Monica Mountains (1998, 2000, 2001,

and 2002).

Lindsey Groves, Natural History Museum of Los

Angeles County, Malacology Collection Manager

described the only cowry specimen (Family Cypraeidae)

from the Topanga Formation in 1994 and is currently

working with John Alderson and LouElla Saul on Late

Cretaceous abalone specimens from Topanga Canyon.

John Alderson, Research Associate at the Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County Invertebrate

Paleontology section, has worked extensively in the

Santa Monica Mountains, investigating the geology and

paleontology of the area. Detailed geologic maps and

age assignments (1988), as well as many significant fossil

discoveries, have resulted from Alderson’s research.

Alderson has been a co-author on numerous articles

involving Cretaceous mollusks and Oligocene to

Miocene land plants, land mammals, continental

vertebrates, and marine invertebrates (Saul and Alderson,

2001; Fisk, et al., 2001; Lander, et al., 2001, 2003; and

Shapiro, et al., 2001a, 2001b).

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

Scope of Collections (1996)

This document is currently being revised to further

incorporate the significance of SAMO’s fossil resources.

Draft Comprehensive Design Plan, Simi Hills,

Environmental Assessment (1996)

Five paleontological resource localities are described in

a cultural resource section, and the potential to discover

additional localities is also mentioned.

Calabasas Landfill Special Use Permit, Environmental

Assessment (1997)

Although included in the cultural resource section, this

assessment notes a study area with a description of the

geologic units and associated fossils.

Water Resources Management Plan (1997)

This plan briefly mentions fossils in two of the geologic

units that are described.

Land Protection Plan (1998)

There is no mention of paleontological resources.

Resource Management Plan (1998)

Paleontological resources are included in the Natural

Resource Descriptions, Baseline Information, and

Collections sections of the Resource Management Plan.

Museum Management Plan (1999)

This plan includes paleontological resources and

outlines the reasoning for housing collections.

General Management Plan (2002)

Fossils are included in the geology sections of the plan.

Additionally, from the Analysis of Impacts section, the

plan states, “Mitigation measures for impacts to non -

renewable paleontologic resources are directed at

recovering the scientific data and educational values that

have been recognized as constituting the intrinsic

properties that make the resources important.”
4

Fire Management Plan (2003)

The Environmental Impact Statement that accompanies

the Fire Management Plan considers paleontological

resources and discusses the threshold criteria of varying

impacts.

Draft Long - Range Interpretive Plan (2004)

Paleontological sites and fossils are briefly mentioned;

however, they are included in a cultural resources

section.

Trail Management Plan

The Trail Management Plan will be drafted over the next

year along with the associated compliance documents:

Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental

Impact Report. These documents will include

environmental analysis of potential paleontological

resource impacts.

GEOLOGY

GEOLOGIC HISTORY

The Santa Monica Mountains are the southcentral

mountain chain in the Transverse Ranges of southern

California (Figure 3). There has been periodic uplift in

the area since the Oligocene collision of the Pacific Plate

and the North American Plate. However, the mountain

building of the Santa Monica Mountains ocurred in the

last few million years, due to north -south compression

from plate movement. As a result, complex geologic

structures of folding and faulting characterize these east

-west -trending mountains.

Thick marine sedimentary sequences of sandstone,

siltstone, and mudstone, as well as volcanic deposits,

primarily compose the rocks found within the Santa

Monica Mountains (Figure 4). Although less abundant, terrestrial deposits also exist. The rocks exposed

in the mountains range in age from the Jurassic to the

Quaternary. There is variation in stratigraphic nomenclature when characterizing Santa Monica Mountains

geology. This report will not attempt to resolve differences or choose preferential terminology, but rather

gather information on and summarize the pertinent

stratigraphic units.

The Jurassic Santa Monica Slate is only found toward the eastern boundary of SAMO. Rocks are exposed in and around the areas of Topanga State Park,

Mission Canyon, and Encino Reservoir.

Cretaceous deposits are found in various areas

within SAMO. Significant exposures are known in the

vicinity of Topanga State Park, Ahmanson Ranch,

Cheeseboro Canyon, Palo Camado Canyon, and Tuna

Canyon, as well as in Malibu and inland from Point

Dume.

Paleocene rocks are found within a few areas of the

park, including Ahmanson Ranch, Topanga State Park,

Tuna Canyon, Malibu, and Trancas Canyon.

The region of Malibu Creek State Park and Trancas

Canyon contain exposures of the Eocene Llajas Formation.

Oligocene to Miocene deposits can be found in

Malibu, Malibu Creek State Park, Zuma Canyon, and

Trancas Canyon. Additionally, the Sespe Formation can

be found in the Red Rock Canyon and Topanga State

Park areas, and the Vaqueros Formation is also in Point

Mugu State Park.

The Miocene Topanga stratigraphic unit is the most

common and extensive geologic unit within SAMO.

These varied deposits can be found in most areas of the

national recreation area. Other Miocene rocks are known

from Point Dume and Malibu. In addition, the Modelo

Formation is widely exposed in the northern and north -

eastern areas of SAMO.

Pliocene deposits are found only in the Pacific Palisades area of the park.

Lastly, the more recent Quaternary deposits are

found in small exposures scattered throughout the Santa

Monica Mountains.

Figure 3. Scenic view of the Santa Monica Mountains. Photo by Alison Koch.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 5 Figure 4. Stratigraphic column for the Santa Monica Mountains, showing some of the rock formation names (no preference intended) that have been used (recreated from Dibblee, 1982).

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FOSSILIFEROUS ROCK FORMATIONS

Late Jurassic: Santa Monica Slate

Lithology: Dark-gray and bluish-gray-to-black slate, well-developed slaty cleavage, fissile nature, and abundant

jointing. Altered areas due to contact metamorphism.

Fossils: Imlay (1963) reported “Jurassic fossils from the Santa Monica Slate were discovered recently by C. E.

CorbatÓ and Barry Raleigh of the University of California at Los Angeles near Mandeville Canyon...”. There is

mention of the fossils resembling the pelecypod Buchia.

Cretaceous: Tuna Canyon Formation and/or Chatsworth Formation and/or Chico Formation

Lithology: Marine sequence of sandstone, siltstone, and conglomerate, ranging in color from olive-gray to

grayish-red (Yerkes and Campbell, 1979). Light-gray to brown, medium-grained micaceous sandstones with

thinly bedded siltstones. Gray metavolcanic and granitic cobble conglomerate and gray clay shales with weathered

ellipsoidal fractures. In Topanga, Santa Ynez, and Temescal Canyons, exposures are hard, massive, coarse brown

conglomerates with associated dark gray shale and hard gray sandstone, which can be highly fossiliferous.

Fossils: Abundant fossil mollusks, including the age-diagnostic ammonite species Metaplacenticeras pacificum.

Although less common, microfossils of foraminifera exist (Yerkes and Campbell, 1979). Hoots (1930) reported on

approximately 30 different species from localities within the undivided Chico and Martinez formations.

Paleocene: Coal Canyon Formation and/or Santa Susana Formation and/or Martinez Formation

Lithology: Marine sequence of sandstone, pebble conglomerate, and siltstone. Basal cobble conglomerate member

including thin red clay lenses. White algal limestone beds, shales with intercalated sandstones, some massive beds

of poorly sorted arkosic sandstone and conglomerate.

Fossils: Abundant mollusks and foraminifera (Yerkes and Campbell, 1979). Calcareous lenses with the gastropod

Turritella pachecoensis (Dibblee, 1993; Dibblee and Ehrenspeck, 1993a).

Eocene: Llajas Formation

Lithology: Gray micaceous claystones and siltstones; some brown sandstone beds; and granitic, metavolcanic,

and quartz detritus cobble conglomerate.

Fossils: Abundant mollusks, including Ectinochilus supraplicatus and Turritella buwaldana (Yerkes and Campbell,

1979).

Oligocene to Early Miocene: Sespe Formation

Lithology: Mostly non-marine redbed sequences of sandstone and claystone. Gray-white, tan-to-pink, mediumto-coarse-grained conglomerate.

Fossils: Paleobotanical material (J. Alderson, personal communication, 2003) and fossil land mammals (Lander et

al., 2001).

Late Oligocene to Early Miocene: Vaqueros Formation and/or lower part of the Lower Topanga

Formation

Lithology: Marine sequence of dark platy or shaly siltstones, medium-to coarse-grained sandstones, and greenish

to reddish mudstones (Yerkes and Campbell, 1979).

Fossils: Characteristically contains Turritella, as well as other gastropods, bivalves, foraminifera, and fossil wood

(Yerkes and Campbell, 1979; and J. Alderson, personal communication, 2003).

Early Miocene: Topanga Canyon Formation and/or upper part of the Lower Topanga Formation

Lithology: Clay shale to siltstone, thick bedded sandstone, conglomerate (Dibblee, 1993).

Fossils: One of the most fossiliferous units within the Santa Monica Mountains. It is well known for marine

invertebrates and a plethora of species have been identified from this formation. In 1930, Dr. W. P. Woodring stated

that the gastropod Turritella ocoyana is the most widespread species in the Topanga Formation. Additionally,

foraminifera, plant fragments, bivalves, oysters, gastropods, sand dollars, barnacles, crab claws, invertebrate burrows,

algae, fish scales, shark gill-rakers, whale bones, and sea lion bones have been noted (Hoots, 1930; Susuki, 1951; J.

Alderson, personal communication, 2003; and Yerkes and Campbell, 1979).
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 7

Early Miocene: Conejo Volcanics and/or Middle Topanga Formation

Lithology: Volcaniclastic rocks and extrusive flows of andesite and basalt; conglomerates and breccias. Sequence

of sandstone, siltstone, and sedimentary breccia (Yerkes and Campbell, 1979). Clay shale and sandstone (Dibblee,

1993).

Fossils: Sparse fauna (Yerkes and Campbell, 1979) and fossil wood (Stadum and Weigand, 1999) have been found

in the volcanics.

Early Miocene: Trancas Formation

Lithology: Sandstones, claystones, shales, and breccia.

Fossils: “...contains a microfauna diagnostic of Saucesian to Luisian age” (Dibblee, 1982).

Middle Miocene: Calabasas Formation and/or Upper Topanga Formation

Lithology: Light gray to tan sandstone, blueschist breccia, clay shale, conglomerate (Dibblee, 1993; Dibblee and

Ehrenspeck, 1993a; Yerkes and Campbell, 1979).

Fossils: Foraminifera, molluscan fauna, and fish scales (Yerkes and Cambell, 1979).

Middle to Late Miocene: Modelo Formation and/or Monterey Formation

Lithology: Massive units of coarse gray and brown sandstones, calcareous and siliceous shales, soft white punky

diatomaceous shale. Calcareous lenses or concretions that weather to yellow in color.

Fossils: A large diversity of fossils occurs within the formation, including gastropods, bivalves, echinoids, whale

bones, sharks teeth, horse remains, well-preserved fish, terrestrial plants, and foraminifera (Hoots, 1930 and David,

1943).

Pliocene: Repetto Formation and/or Pico Formation and/or Fernando Formation

Lithology: Clastic marine sediments, soft claystone, siltstone, and commonly fossiliferous sandstones. Intensely

deformed and faulted (Dibblee, 1982).

Fossils: Shark teeth, brachiopods, gastropods, and bivalves (J. Alderson, personal communication, 2003).

Quaternary Deposits

Lithology: Alluvial fill, gravels, and shallow marine sand.

Fossils: Amphibians, reptiles, 20 species of birds, rodent, camel, bison, tapir, mammoth, mastodon, and giant

ground sloth.
8

Figure 5. Clockwise from top left:

Eupachydiscus lamberti (LACMIP

hypotype 9786), Inoceramus subundatus (LACMIP

hypotype 8387), Turritella infra granulata pachecoensis

(LACMIP hypotype 10316), Macoma secta (LACMIP

hypotype 8151), Pomaulax undosa (LACMIP hypotype

8103), and Conus owenianus (LACMIP hypotype

8158). Photos by Caitlin De La Cruz.

Top left scale bar = 30cm, all other scale bars =1 cm

FOSSIL VERTEBRATES

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Chordata

 The bulk of vertebrate material in SAMO is fossil

fish. The classes of Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish)

and Osteichthyes (bony fish) are both represented. Some

undetermined sharks and bony fish were discovered in

Late Cretaceous deposits, including a nearly complete

long, slender skull of a bony fish (S. McLeod, personal

communication, 2003). Aside from a few Quaternary

specimens, the remaining fish material has been discovered from various Miocene rocks. Many of these specimens exhibit remarkable preservation and should be

considered highly significant. French paleontologist

Lore Rose David conducted the most extensive research

on these Miocene fishes in the 1940s.

 The only known fossil amphibian from SAMO is a

Quaternary frog specimen that is housed at the Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County.

 The majority of reptile fossils are from Quaternary

deposits, although one specimen housed at the Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County is a Miocene

turtle. The Quaternary fossil reptiles consist of two lizards and two snakes. No formal reports have been published on these specimens.

 Apart from one Quaternary specimen of a flightless bird, fossil birds have been found from three different localities within the Modelo and/or Monterey Formation. Two species of boobies, one shearwater, and

one cormorant were found within SAMO (Howard, 1958;

Howard, 1962; and Miller, 1929) (see Figure 6). Add i -

tionally, Howard and White (1962) discuss the remark -

able large -“toothed” bird, Osteodontornis orri, found

in the Sherman Oaks area.

TAXONOMY

(See also Appendix A: Paleontological Species List.)

MICROFOSSILS

Kingdom Protoctista

Phylum Protozoa

 Microfossils in the Santa Monica Mountains have

been collected for age -dating purposes, and have primarily consisted of foraminifera.

FOSSIL PLANTS

Kingdom Plantae

 Paleobotanical material is less abundant than invertebrate and vertebrate fossils. This observation may

also be impacted by fewer researchers interested in pursuing fossil plant studies in the park. Although some

leaf material has been discovered in the Vaqueros Formation, as well as leaf and kelp fossils within the Modelo

Formation, the bulk of known paleobotanical resources

are fossil wood. Stadum and Weigand (1999) discussed

fossil wood from the Conejo Volcanics; SAMO’s mu -

seum collections contain a significant number of fossil

wood specimens; and additional resources are known

from within the Topanga Stratigraphic unit (J. Alderson,

personal communication, 2003). Lastly, pollen and

spore samples have been collected for analysis from Santa

Ynez Canyon for Paleocene and Eocene deposits.

FOSSIL INVERTEBRATES

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Mollusca

 Bivalves, cephalopods, and gastropods are found

in many areas throughout the park (see Figure 5). These

specimens are certainly the most abundant within

SAMO. Specimens can be found from all of the fossiliferous deposits, except for the Sespe Formation, ranging

from the Cretaceous to the Recent. Hundreds of species

are known from SAMO, mostly within the classes

Bivalvia (clams) and Gastropoda (snails). The known

cephalopods are restricted to Cretaceous rocks, including the very large specimen of Eupachydiscus lamberti

from Santa Ynez Canyon.

Phylum Arthropoda

 Miocene deposits have produced arthropod

specimens that are housed at the Natural History

Museum of Los Angeles County. Additionally, the

new arthropod Cyclocorystes aldersoni was found

from Paleocene deposits within SAMO.

Phylum Echinodermata

 Echinoderm specimens from Miocene deposits are

housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

County.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 9

Figure 6. Fossil birds of

SAMO: Osteodontornis

orri (LACM 1267/2707 Figured) showing large “teeth”

(left) and Phalacrocorax femoralis (LACM 6092/

133076 [cast of HOLOTYPE UCLA VP-2754]) (right).

Photos by Alison Koch.

 Mammals from the Santa Monica Mountains have

been found in both Miocene and Quaternary deposits.

Published specimens from the Miocene include a large

marine mammal and dolphin from the Modelo and/or

Monterey deposits (Reinhart, 1959; Mitchell, 1963; Barnes,

1977; and Barnes, 1985). Additional Miocene material

includes remains of a sea lion ancestor, whale, sea cow,

and 3-toed horse (see Figure 7). Significantly more

mammal specimens have been recovered from the Quaternary deposits. Although only two specimens have

been published -a mole (Hutchison, 1987) and a tapir

(Jefferson, 1989), additional exciting specimens exist.

Camel, bison, rabbit, mastodon, mammoth, horse,

mouse, gopher, rat, and giant ground sloths have been

found in various sites within Quaternary sediments.

Figure 7. Sea lion ancestor remains (top left) (LACM

6186/135825), whale teeth (top right) (LACM 1408/3864),

and mammoth bone (LACM 1225/3662) (bottom).

Photos by Alison Koch.

TRACE FOSSILS

 Trace fossils discovered in SAMO have consisted

of invertebrate burrows. Ophiomorpha from the Santa

Monica Mountains were figured by Flack (1993) from

the “Topanga Formation” and were also mentioned by

Oborne (1993) from the Vaqueros Formation.

LOCALITIES

There are over 2,300 known fossil localities within the

SAMO boundary. Some of these sites no longer exist

due to building construction, while others continue to

be extremely productive. It is certain that more localities

will be discovered in the future. Below are two summaries

of Santa Monica Mountains’ most noteworthy fossil

localities.

OLD TOPANGA CANYON (AMPHITHEATER)

This fossil site occurs in the Old Topanga Canyon

area, where there is a large portion of the Topanga

Formation exposed. Research and recreational

collecting have produced significant finds, making this

locality the most prolific site in SAMO, and have

contributed to the nationwide popularity of the area.

No less than 133 species have been identified from this

site, and there is high potential to discover many more.

Turritella snail shells are the most common fossils from

the Amphitheater, producing countless numbers of

specimens. There are a multitude of other fossils known

from the site, including other snail shells, clams, shells

covered with coralline algae, barnacles, sand dollars,

invertebrate burrows, plant fragments, fish scales, whale

bones (including the earliest record of a pygmy baleen

whale), beds of shark gill rakers, and sea lion bones.

Currently the locality is privately owned. The

owner has been amenable to collecting in the past, but

due to a request from the Department of Public Works,

“No Trespassing” and “No Parking” signs have been

posted, thereby closing the site to collecting. However,

there is a good possibility that this important locality

could one day be managed by a public lands agency.

Due to the high rates of erosion, concerns of the

Public Works, and popularity, this site is in need of some

active resource management from a land conservancy

agency. Natural erosion is an immediate impact that is

threatening the stability of these fossils. Wind, rain, and

steep slopes contribute to high erosion, while direct

human impacts add to this. New fossil material, and

potentially significant new finds, are rapidly weathering

out from the rock. To minimize this loss of scientific

data, researchers should be allowed, through a permit

system, to investigate this locality. Measures should be

taken to reduce eroded material entering the roadway to

appease the concerns of the Public Works Division.

Natural hazards to any visitor at this site include steep

slopes, regular “mini” rock falls of pebbles, and one

section that shows signs of large fracturing. The local

community has had roots in fossil collecting at this

particular site since the 1930s, and although public

removal of specimens from the area is not desirable, there

is a large potential for interpretive programming.
10

FOSSIL FISH LOCALITIES IN THE MODELO

FORMATION

The Modelo Formation preserves isolated fish scales

and skeletons, as well as mass mortality layers. These

layers contain abundant fish and can be found in very

soft, crumbly sediments and in harder sandstone. The

preservation, especially in the harder sediments, can be

outstanding. The Natural History Museum of Los

Angeles County houses several fully articulated fish

specimens (Figure 8).

Many of the fossil fish localities have been destroyed

or made inaccessible due to private construction.

However, some fossiliferous beds can be reached along

neighborhood streets and in Fossil Ridge Park,

controlled under the Santa Monica Mountains

Conservancy Zone Parkland. This park was established

for the abundant fossil fishes; however, the entrance was

blocked when a neighboring housing development

gated the entrance. In order to provide a new source of

access, the Conservancy established the Oak Forest

Canyon Park, which adjoins the park. Currently there

is no established continuous trail that joins the two parks;

therefore, accessing Fossil Ridge Park is arduous, and

involves penetrating dense brush.

Figure 8. Fossil fish from various localities within the ModeloFormation.

Clockwise from top left: Sarda stocki (LACM 1035 / 1059 HOLOTYPE),

Hipposyngnathus imporcitor (LACM 326/12055 HOLOTYPE), Decapterus sp.

(LACM 317-a/25089), Lompoquia sp. (LACM 1938/11675), Chalcidichthys malacopterygius (LACM (CIT) 317/10228

HOLOTYPE), Xyne grex (LACM 5768/150210), and Scorpaena ensiger (LACM (CIT) 317/10226 Figured).

Photos by Alison Koch.

PALEONTOLOGICAL

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE POLICY

Fossils are non -renewable natural resources that

are protected by the National Park Service. Both human

and natural factors impact fossil stability, thus requiring

consideration within resource management. Perhaps

the most complex issues surrounding paleontological

resource management lie within effectively caring for

in situ fossil specimens.

Fossils become exposed at the surface by natural

and human activities, including natural erosion, storm

events, fires, and building construction. These processes

and events aid in the discovery of fossils, but can also

lead to their alteration and destruction.

It is therefore vital that management know where

the fossils are located and how they are being impacted.

To mitigate paleontological resource degradation,

resource management actions may be implemented to

help reduce the threats to these valuable non-renewable

resources. National Park Service paleontological

resource management guidance has been developed

within the Natural Resource Management Guideline

(DO-77).
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 11

MONITORING

An important aspect of paleontological resource

management is establishing a long -term paleontological

resource monitoring program. National Park Service

paleontological resource monitoring strategies were

developed by Santucci and Koch (2003). This

monitoring strategy should incorporate the

measurement and evaluation of the factors stated below.

Climatological Data Assessments

These assessments include measurements of factors

such as annual and storm precipitation, freeze/thaw

index (number of 24-hour periods per year where

temperature fluctuates above and below 320 F), relative

humidity, and peak hourly wind speeds.

Rates of Erosion Studies

These studies require evaluation of lithology, slope

degree, percent vegetation cover, and rates of denudation

around established benchmarks.

Assessment of Human Activities, Behaviors, and Other

Variables

These assessments involve determining access/

proximity of paleontological resources to visitor use

areas, annual visitor use, documented cases of theft/

vandalism, commercial market value of the fossils, and

amount of published material on the fossils.

Condition Assessment and Cyclic Prospecting

These monitoring methods entail visits to the

locality to observe physical changes in the rocks and

fossils, including the number of specimens lost and

gained at the surface exposure. Paleontological

prospecting would be especially beneficial during

assessments after wildfires.

Periodic Photographic Monitoring

Maintaining photographic archives and continuing

to photo -document fossil localities from established

photo -points enables visual comparison of long -term

changes in site variables.

STABILIZATION/REBURIAL (DO -77)

Significant specimens that cannot be immediately

collected may be stabilized using the appropriate

consolidants, and reburied. Measures to mitigate erosion

may also be used for stabilization.

SHELTERS (DO -77)

Sites or specimens that are to be exhibited in situ will

usually require protective shelters. Structures range from

small plastic domes to large buildings with attendant

exhibits and research facilities. However, the use of

structures may invite theft or vandalism and present

problems of temperature and humidity control and

specimen degradation.

EXCAVATION (DO -77)

Excavation may be partial (such as the collection of

a particular specimen in a fossil reef or the emergency

collection of bones in imminent danger of destruction)

or complete (an entire skeleton or an entire

microvertebrate locality).

CLOSURE (DO-77)

Closure may be temporary (such as while an

excavation is in progress) or permanent (such as for areas

with abundant significant fossil resources that are easily

pilfered). Closed areas may be completely withdrawn

from public use or restricted to ranger -led activities,

such as guided hikes.

PATROLS (DO -77)

Important sites or areas may be in the area of existing

patrol routes and should be brought to the attention of

patrol rangers. Other areas may require the modification

of patrol routes. Patrols may be important in preventing

or reducing theft and vandalism.

ALARM SYSTEMS / ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE

Seismic monitoring systems can be installed to alert

rangers of disturbances to sensitive paleontological sites.

Once the alarm is engaged, a ranger can be dispatched to

investigate. Motion -sensory activated cameras may also

be mounted to visually document human activity in areas

of vulnerable paleontological sites.

BASELINE PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCE

INVENTORIES

Santucci (1998) piloted a prototype for the first

comprehensive paleontological resource inventory for

the National Park Service in Yellowstone National Park.

A baseline inventory of paleontological resources within

a park is fundamental for any paleontological resource

management program. In order to proceed with science

-based decision -making, managers must be aware of

the “where” and “what” details of the park’s

paleontological resources.
12

PALEONTOLOGICAL

RESOURCE PROTECTION

The protection of fossil resources not only from the

elements, but also from looting and vandalism, is vital

to preserving the scientific value associated with a

specimen. To remove a fossil from its geographic and/

or stratigraphic context without documentation is equal

to discarding volumes of information that can aid in the

understanding of a fossil’s place in time and space.

It is widely known throughout the Santa Monica

Mountains that hobby fossil collecting has and

continues to occur, regardless of land -ownership.

Some of the more vulnerable fossil -rich areas within

the over -arching boundary of SAMO are not under

direct NPS control. Perhaps the most efficient means of

protecting some of these resources is to include the fossilrich areas into the NPS -governed lands. There are a

number of potential regions that could profit from the

additional protection that the Park Service would

provide.

An additional concern for the paleontological

resources within SAMO is the occurrence of illegal

encroachment activity. Any land disturbance for the

purpose of cutting trails or providing access within the

park can result in adverse affects to fossils. Direct damage

as well as increased erosion destroys or destabilizes the

fossils.

SAMO rangers should continue to search for

evidence of disturbance to paleontological resources

when investigating a case and contact a specialist to

conduct a field assessment and provide a report for a 19jj

case if necessary. Staff at the Natural History Museum of

Los Angeles County may be able to provide this

assistance.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PALEONTOLOGICAL

RESOURCE PROTECTION

 • Conduct regular patrols of known sites;

 • Continue cooperation with state parks,

 conservancies, museums, and universities;

 • Develop a PMIS statement for

 paleontological resource protection;

 • Assess commercial values of

paleontological resources preserved

 within the park;

 • Provide paleontological resource

 protection training for park staff; and

 • Increase public awareness of NPS

 regulations regarding fossils.

RESEARCH

The National Park Service Natural Resource

Management Guidelines (DO-77) state,

“paleontological research by the academic community

will be encouraged and facilitated under the terms of a

permit...” Paleontological research has been conducted

in the area since before the establishment of the Santa

Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and

continues today, although no official research permits

have been issued by the National Park Service. It is

fortunate that a tremendous wealth of paleontologic

information exists for the Santa Monica Mountains,

although the park has not previously been aware of much

of this information.

There are a number of reasons that permits have not

been obtained by paleontological researchers in the area.

First, many researchers are not conducting

paleontological investigations on the National Park

Service controlled portions of land, and it is therefore

not required that they possess a permit. However, many

researchers have not been alerted to the fact that it is a

requirement to have a permit to conduct paleontological

research on Park Service land. Due to the rich tapestry

of land ownership within the boundary, some

researchers have difficulty identifying which agency is

responsible for the locality in question.

Although illegal collecting and unpermitted

research must not be tolerated in the National Park

Service, there are some things that SAMO can do to help

“encourage and [facilitate research] under the terms of a

permit.” Providing local museums and universities with

information and links to the NPS permitting website

could be a first step to informing the academic

community. SAMO can also approach these institutions

with potential research opportunities and projects that

the park would like to see accomplished. Making copies

of detailed land-ownership maps for the entire

recreation area available to the general public would

help identify park lands until greater signage can be

installed. Also, the park has a wealth of resources, GIS

capabilities, detailed maps, and road access, in particular,

which would be beneficial for a researcher to utilize.

Reaching out to the academic community in this way

may encourage communication between researchers and

the park. This in turn could open the doors for

additional valuable research within SAMO under the

terms of NPS permitting regulations.

CURRENT RESEARCH

John Alderson, LouElla Saul, and Takeo Susuki are

investigating the fauna from the Amphitheater site. This

work is a comprehensive look at the variety and

distribution of fossils from this locality.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 13

John Alderson, Bruce Lander, and Don Prothero

are researching the Sespe Formation and Vaqueros

Formation in the Saddle Peak area. Fossils and

microfossils of land mammals, land plants, and marine

invertebrates are being studied. Additionally,

paleomagnetic investigations, in conjunction with fossil

dating, are being used to determine ages for the rocks.

POTENTIAL RESEARCH

Old Topanga Canyon (Amphitheater)

Although many specimens, including new species,

were collected from this area by researchers and

hobbyists, many other specimens will likely continue to

emerge. Due to the high rates of erosion at this site, new

specimens may be appearing regularly, and they should

be documented before they are altered, destroyed, or

removed by natural and human processes. Future studies

of this locality would be extremely valuable due to the

wealth of paleontological resources and the popularity

they have received nationwide.

Further Investigation of Fossil Fish Beds

Preservation of fossil fish from within SAMO is so

good that it can be compared to that of the Wyoming’s

Green River Formation. Fully articulated specimens are

housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

County, and others may be housed at a variety of

institutions. Although some previously identified fossil

fish localities are now inaccessible due to building

construction, there is the potential for recovery of new

specimens within SAMO.

Inventory of Fossil Wood Deposits

There are significant fossilized wood deposits within

and surrounding SAMO. Some of this material has been

identified. In addition to identification, locality data

should be documented, along with GPS information

and photographic images.

PERMIT SYSTEM

A research permit serves as an administration tool

to help ensure resource protection by defining

limitations on and responsibilities of researchers

working in the park. Park management should ensure

that information gained through research (field notes

and photographs) is obtained by the park, and that any

specimens collected under a permit remain accessible

and properly cataloged into a museum collection - the

park’s or otherwise. For further information on NPS

permit regulations and applications, consult the U. S.

National Park Service Research Permit and Reporting

System website, http://science.nature.nps.gov/permits/

servlet/PubIndexServlet

FUNDING

Funding for paleontological research has

traditionally been difficult to secure within the National

Park Service. Fossils lack specific legislation for

appropriation of funds to support paleontological

resource projects. Most of the financial support for

paleontological resource projects has come from park

cooperating associations, park donation accounts, or

academic institutions. With limited funding for

paleontological resource projects, the training and

utilization of volunteers can be a valuable way to

accomplish management objectives.

The National Park Service has moved toward greater

recognition of paleontological resources within the last

few years. A staff position in Washington, D. C. has been

created to oversee geologic and paleontologic resource

issues. The Geologic Resources Division in Denver,

Colorado has also had a staff position since 1998 and is

able to secure some funding to support paleontological

research in the national parks.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

may also be able to utilize funds and support for

paleontological projects through the newly instituted

Center for Teaching New America.

LITERATURE SURVEY

As a part of the Santa Monica Mountains National

Recreation Area Paleontological Survey, background

searches into existing geologic and paleontologic

publications were conducted, with the purpose of

finding all information pertaining to known Santa

Monica Mountains paleontological resources. The

cooperation of the Natural History Museum of Los

Angeles County and the Invertebrate Paleontology staff

and research associates was very much appreciated in

this effort. Additionally, GeoRef databases and the

National Park Service databases “PaleoBib” and

“NatureBib” were searched.

The majority of papers mention vague and/or

specific site and specimen data without specific reference

to the presence of the recreation area. Therefore, there

was some approximation for determining whether

references pertain to specimens and localities inside the

park boundaries.

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS /

CURATION

The paleontology collections at Santa Monica

Mountains National Recreation Area are very limited,

except for a large (approximately -150 -specimen)

collection of unidentified fossil wood and a few

invertebrate specimens (Figure 9). These specimens are
14

accessioned in the National Park Service ANCS+ system,

but very few are catalogued. The museum facility itself

is in compliance with all National Park Service

guidelines for maintaining collections.

Paleontology is mentioned in the park’s Scope of

Collections (SOC). Additionally, the SOC is currently

being revised and updated to accomodate the increased

breadth of paleontological potential.

The Museum Management Plan identifies the

philosophy behind the scope of the collections. This

broad scope of the collections is not intended to compete

with other repositories, but rather to house any specimens

that are needed for interpretation and to preserve any

material that is threatened or has been stumbled upon

within the park. Due to the limited space available for

park collections, most collected specimens will remain

in outside repositories. However, there is some vacant

space in the museum collections that could be used for

fossil specimens. SAMO museum curator Phil Bedel

states, “ I would like to see our paleontological

collections grow. They are an important theme for the

mountains, but we are not trying to duplicate work that

has already been done.”

SAMO has the opportunity to house a variety of

representative and rare specimens for their collections.

These specimens could be used for exhibits,

interpretation, staff training, research, and resource

protection. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

County has a multitude of representative fossils that may

be loaned to the park. In addition, casts of rare or

otherwise significant specimens can be made for the park.

SAMO should maintain contact with this museum to

obtain updates on new specimens, preparation

 procedures, and potential curatorial cooperative

projects. Due to the overwhelming abundance of fossil

material within the Santa Monica Mountains, new

specimens could be collected from the field and curated

directly into the park’s museum. Associated field records

should also reside in the park collections.

In addition to housing specimens, SAMO has the

facilities to maintain an extensive photographic archive

of paleontological material. By retaining photographs,

Figure 9. Specimens housed at the museum facility of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Clockwise from top left: Pectinidae (clam) (SAMO245), unidentified marine mammal*, Bruclarkia sp. (snail)

(SAMO3204), unidentified leaf (SAMO3210), fossilized wood*, Carangidae (fish) (SAMO3221), and

Clupeidae (fish) with plant material (SAMO3213). Photos by Alison Koch.

*represent part of the backlog of uncataloged specimens in the park collections
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 15

compare the modern -day fauna to the similar fossil

specimens that are both currently found within the park

and the Los Angeles area. Matching cards, touch boxes,

programs, exhibits, or other tools could be used to

present this topic. Quarry or field programs, exhibits,

waysides, or site bulletins could be created to help locals

identify the fossils “in your own backyard.” Another

way to involve the local community would be to have

rotating field trips or talks lead by local scientists to

explain the geology and paleontology. Utilizing a

paleontologist through the GeoScientist -in -the -

Parks, Student Conservation Association, and/or other

volunteer venues may be an inexpensive way to develop

specific programs. Cooperating with the Center for

Teaching New America may also provide support for

paleontological interpretive programming. Hosting

school groups or visiting the schools to present local

paleontological topics, including conducting art/essay

contests, could be another way to inform local

communities about the neighboring paleontological

resources. If there were space to be made available, the

visitor center could provide a “rubbing plate station”

for visitors (especially kids) to make crayon rubbings of

local fossils with their associated scientific names. Any

paleontological interpretation at SAMO should also

have a protection message included in the interpretive

programming, due to the illegal collecting in the past

and present, and the difficulties in determining land

ownership within the entire park boundary.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PALEONTOLOGICAL

INTERPRETATION

 • Update interpretive planning documents to

 include paleontological resources and issues;

 • Incorporate significant park paleontological

 resources in interpretive exhibits and displays;

 • Develop geologic/paleontologic resource

 components for education programs;

 • Provide paleontological resource training for

 interpretive staff;

 • Continue park policy of not divulging

 paleontological localities to park visitors; and

 • Update interpretive slide collection to

 incorporate significant fossil specimens.

the park saves museum drawer space, while keeping a

useful record of the local paleontology on site.

Security for the collections at Santa Monica

Mountains National Recreation Area is excellent. The

relative remoteness and unidentifiable nature of the

building add to security by decreasing access to the

general public. Any person visiting the museum

building must be escorted through the collections.

INTERPRETATION

CURRENT EFFORTS

Interpretation of SAMO paleontological resources

is primarily informal at present. Most educational and

interpretive information regarding fossils and

paleontology is presented during interpretive

programming, and not within exhibits. Although not a

primary interpretive theme, there is one unidentified

fossil replica on display in the NPS visitor center. During

a guided hike previously conducted at SAMO, visitors

stopped at a fossil locality to see an in situ (in place)

fossil. Most visitors receive little paleontological

information from park staff unless specific questions

arise during interpretive programs. These questions are

most often asked by school children. Visitors with a

particular interest in fossils are usually referred to the

neighboring La Brea Tar Pits of the Page Museum of the

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County for

additional paleontological information.

PALEONTOLOGICAL THEMES

As part of a National Park Service servicewide survey

of paleontological interpretive themes, SAMO reported

on a number of paleontological topics that have been

utilized by the staff. These topics include Definition of

a Fossil, Fossilization Processes, Curation,

Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction, Earth History,

Evolution, Geologic Time, Values of Fossils, Threats to

Fossils, Paleontology vs. Archeology, Fossils and

Culture, and Misconceptions in Paleontology (J.

Kenworthy, personal communication, 2003).

INTERPRETIVE POTENTIAL

Due to the richness and significance of

paleontological resources at SAMO, the interpretive

potential is great. The following are a few

recommendations that could be used to incorporate

paleontological resource information into

interpretation.

Some of the range of possible interpretive activities

and programs could include SAMO -specific programs

or activities relating to this area’s rare opportunity to
16

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The initial contact and park support for this survey

was former Chief of Planning Science & Resource

Management, Nancy Andrews. Appreciation for current

SAMO staff efforts include Woody Smeck,

Superintendent; Ray Sauvajot, Chief of Planning Science

& Resource Management; Brendan Clarke, GIS

Technician; and Phil Bedel, Museum Curator.

Additionally, many other SAMO staff provided

invaluable assistance and enthusiasm, including Denise

Kamradt, Ralf Gottschalk, Lena Lee, Erin Evarts, Tarja

Sajar, Sandy Sauvajot, and Phil Holmes.

The Invertebrate Paleontology staff at the Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County gave much

appreciated time, effort, and support. In particular,

Research Associate John Alderson was one of the most

valuable resources, who gracioulsy provided

considerable information and time for the report and

field assessments. Collections Manager Harry Filkorn

is sincerely thanked for all of his invaluable help with

the completion of this survey. Ken Johnson, Assistant

Curator, and LouElla Saul, Research Associate, both gave

substantial support and information. Caitlin De La Cruz

provided outstanding photographs of the invertebrate

fossil specimens.

Vertebrate Paleontology staff at the Natural History

Museum of Los Angeles County are also acknowledged

for their generous support. Former Assistant Curator J.

D. Stewart and Curatorial Assistant Gary Takeuchi are

greatly appreciated for their time and help with the

collections. Collections Manager Sam McLeod also

provided significant information and support for this

survey. Additionally, Cathy McNassor of the Museum

Archives Department is thanked for her assistance.

Richard Squires at California State University,

Northridge, generously provided reprints and

information information about a variety of fossils from

the Santa Monica Mountains.

Funding support was provided by the Geologic

Resources Division, with special thanks to Bob Higgins

and Greg McDonald; and from the Mediterranean Coast

Network, with special thanks to Lane Cameron and Ray

Sauvajot.

Staff at Fossil Butte National Monument are much

appreciated for their logistical and moral support for

this endeavor: Jason Kenworthy, David McGinnis, Liz

Parker, Anne Bluemel, Arvid Aase, Clay Kyte, and Marcia

Fagnant.

Lastly, special thanks to all those who reviewed this

document and provided helpful insights and comments:

John Alderson, Harry Filkorn, Gene Fritsche, Lindsey

Groves, Jane Harvey, Jason Kenworthy, LouElla Saul,

and Gary Takeuchi.

SUMMARY OF

RECOMMENDATIONS

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Incorporate all backlog paleontological localities into

the paleontology database and GIS layer. Conduct site

assessments to evaluate the productivity for future

occurrences of specimens. Conduct scheduled

monitoring of fossil localities. Continue to cooperate

with other land agencies to ensure appropriate

management and increase recognition of the valuable

paleontological resources that occur throughout the

mountains.

RESOURCE PROTECTION

Provide paleontological resource protection training

for park staff. Continue to work with paleontologists

on 19jj cases (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

County staff may be consulted). Develop a PMIS

statement for paleontological resource protection.

Include paleontological resources in the conservation

criteria for the Land Protection Plan.

RESEARCH

Conduct outreach to encourage the scientific

community to maintain a working relationship with the

park about their research and provide information about

the NPS permitting system. Communicate SAMO

research needs to local universities for potential projects.

MUSEUM MANAGEMENT AND COLLECTIONS

Maintain a working relationship with the Natural

History Museum of Los Angeles County for

preparation, identification, and curation needs.

Continue to provide park staff and outside visitors and

researchers access to the collections. Acquire funding

to catalog the backlog specimens within the collections.

Investigate other repositories that contain SAMO fossils,

especially the University of California, Berkeley

paleontology collections.

INTERPRETATION

Provide paleontological resource training for

interpretive staff. Move paleontological resources into

the natural resources of the Long - Range Interpretive

Plan and incorporate the significance of SAMO fossil

resources. Utilize a GeoScientist - in - the - Parks intern

to create an interpretive product or program regarding

paleontological resources at SAMO. Provide resource

protection message with all paleontological

interpretation and continue park policy not to divulge

fossil localities to visitors.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 17

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Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 21

 Geologic Time Codes:

[K] Cretaceous

[P] Paleocene

[E] Eocene

[M] Miocene

[Q] Quaternary

FOSSILS EXAMINED IN LACM REPOSITORIES

Invertebrates

MOLLUSCA

BIVALVIA

Anadara topangensis [M]

Chione triangulata [M]

Clementia temblorensis [M]

Clementia pertenuis [M]

Cymbophora triangulata [K]

Dosinia ponderosa [M]

Glycymeris veatchii [K]

Inoceramus subundatus [K]

Macoma cf. nasuta [M]

Macoma secta [Q]

Macrocallista stantoni [E]

Martesia sp. [P]

Miltha pertenuis [M]

Miltha santaecrucis [M]

Mytilus mathewsoni [M]

Nototeredo sp. [P]

Ostrea sp. [M]

Pinna sp. [M]

Plicatula lapidicina [P]

Plicatula trailerensis [P]

Propeamusium cowperi [K]

Saxidomus nuttallii [M]

Solena stantoni [P]

Spisula hemphilli [Q]

Teredo sp. [M]

Trachycardium sp. [Q]

Venericardia mulleri [P]

Vertipecten bowersi [M]

Yaadia robusta [K]

CEPHALOPODA

Eupachydiscus lamberti [K]

Metaplacenticeras sanctaemonicae [K]

Metaplacenticeras pacificum [K]

Pachydiscus catarinae [K]

GASTROPODA

Anchura phaba [K]

APPENDICES

A: PALEONTOLOGICAL SPECIES LIST

Bittium topangensis [M]

Bruclarkia barkerianum [M]

Bursa californica [Q]

Calyptraea costellata [M]

Calyptraea mamillaris [M]

Campanile greenellum [P]

Cancellaria sp. [M]

Conus owenianus [M]

Deussenia californiana [K]

Diodora sp. [P]

Fusinus sp. [P]

Gyrodes robustus [P]

Haliotis palaea [M]

Neverita reclusiana [M]

Ocenebra topangensis [M]

Penion titan [P]

Perissitys pacifica [K]

Pomaulax undosus [Q]

Spinigeropsis calafia [E]

Tenagodus californiensis [P]

Terebralia susana [P]

Trophon bartoni [M]

Turritella chicoensis [K]

Turritella infragranulata [P]

Turritella ocoyana [M]

Turritella pachecoensis [P]

Turritella peninsularis [P]

Turritella temblorensis [M]

Velates perversus [E]

Zonaria emmakingae [M]

ARTHROPODA

CRUSTACEA [M]

Rhyssematus miocenae [M]

Cyclocorystes aldersoni [P]

ECHINODERMATA

Astrodapsis hootsi [M]

Vaquerosella norrisi [M]

Vertebrates

CHONDRICHTHYES

Carcharhinidae

Galeocerdo aduncus [M]

Hemipristis sp. [M]

Cetorhinidae

Cetorhinus sp. [M]

Lamnidae

Carcharocles angustidens [M]

Isurus hastalis [M]

Isurus planus [M]

Myliobatidae

Myliobatis sp. [M]
22

OSTEICHTHYES

Atherinidae

Atherinops barkeri [M]

Atherinopsis sp. [M]

Exocoetidae

Euleptorhamphus sp. [M]

Scomberesocidae

Scomberesox edwardsi [M]

Diretmidae

Absalomichthys velifer [M]

Chalcidichthys malacopterygius [M]

Clupeidae

Etringus scintillans [M]

Ganolytes cameo [M]

Sardinella sp. [M]

Xyne grex [M]

Bregmacerotidae [M]

Gadidae

Eclipes santamonicae [M]

Eclipes veternus [M]

Gasterosteidae [Q]

Myctophidae

Lampanyctus bolini [M]

Lampanyctus petrolifer [M]

Halosauridae

Laytonia californica [M]

Carangidae

Decapterus agilis [M]

Pseudoseriola gillilandi [M]

Gempylidae

Thyrsocles kriegeri [M]

Zaphlegulus venturaensis [M]

Priacanthidae [M]

Sciaenidae

Lompoquia sp. [M]

Scombridae

Sarda stocki [M]

Scomber grex [M]

Scomber sanctaemonicae [M]

Serranidae

Stereolepis sp. [M]

Sparidae

Plectrites classeni [M]

Zaproridae

Araeosteus rothi [M]

Bathylagidae

Bathylagus angelensis [M]

Quaesita angelensis [M]

Quaesita quisquilia [M]

Salmonidae

Oncorhynchus rastrosus [M]

Smilodonichthys sp. [M]

Scorpaenidae

Scorpaena ensiger [M]

Sebastodes porteousi [M]

Chauliodontidae

Chauliodus barbatus [M]

Chauliodus eximius [M]

Gonostomidae

Cyclothone solitudinis [M]

Gonostoma sp. [M]

Sternoptychidae

Argyropelecus bullockii [M]

Stomiatidae

Stomias sp. [M]

Syngnathidae

Hipposyngnathus imporcitor [M]

Syngnathus avus [M]

Caproidae [M]

AMPHIBIA

Ranidae

Rana sp. [Q]

REPTILIA

Dermochelyidae

Psephophorus sp. [M]

Anguidae

Gerrhonotus sp. [Q]

Colubridae

Tantilla sp. [Q]

Thamnophis sp. [Q]

Iguanidae

Uta sp. [Q]

AVES

FALCONIFORMES [Q]

Anatidae

Anas americana [Q]

Aythya affinis [Q]

Aythya marila [Q]

Bucephala albeola [Q]

Chendytes lawi [Q]

Melanitta perspicillata [Q]

Oxyura jamaicensis [Q]

Ardeidae

Ardea herodias [Q]

Alcidae

Synthliboramphus antiquus [Q]

Uria aalge [Q]

Laridae

Larus canus [Q]

Larus occidentalis [Q]

Meleagridae

Parapavo californicus [Q]

Phasianidae

Lophortyx californica [Q]

Gaviidae

Gavia stellata [Q]

Rallidae

Fulica americana [Q]

Corvidade

Corvus corax [Q]

Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocorax femoralis [M]

Phalacrocorax penicillatus [Q]
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 23

Pseudodontornithidae

Osteodontornis orri [M]

Sulidae

Sula pohl [M]

Sula willetti [M]

Podicipedidae

Podiceps caspcus [Q]

Procellariidae

Fulmarus glacialis [Q]

Puffinus diatomicus [M]

Puffinus griseus [Q]

Puffinus puffinus [Q]

MAMMALIA

 ARTIODACTYLA

Bovidae

Bison antiquus [Q]

Camelidae

Camelops hesternus [Q]

Cervidae

 CARNIVORA

Desmatophocidae

Allodesmus sp. [M]

 CETACEA

Cetotheriidae

Nannocetus sp. [M]

Kentriodontidae

Pithanodelphis nasalis [M]

Phocoenidae [M]

Physeteridae

Scaldicetus sp. [M]

 DESMOSTYLIA

Desmostylidae

Paleoparadoxia sp. [M]

 INSECTIVORA

Soricidae

Sorex sp. [Q]

Talpidae

Scapanus latimanus [Q]

 LAGOMORPHA

Leporidae

Sylvilagus sp. [Q]

 PROBOSCIDEA

Proboscidea

Mammutidae

 PERISSODACTYLA

Tapiridae

Tapirus californicus [Q]

Equidae

Equus sp. [Q]

Parapliohippus carrizoensis [M]

 RODENTIA

Cricetidae

Microtus sp. [Q]

Peromyscus sp. [Q]

Geomyidae

Thomomys bottae [Q]

Heteromyidae

Dipodomys sp. [Q]

Perognathus sp. [Q]

 SIRENIA

Dugongidae [M]

 XENARTHRA

Mylodontidae

Glossotherium harlan [Q]

Paramylodon sp. [Q]

Paleobotany

Unidentified fossil wood [M]

FOSSILS HELD IN SAMO REPOSITORY

Invertebrates

MOLLUSCA

BIVALVIA

Macoma sp. [M]

Ostrea sp. [M]

Pecten sp. [M]

GASTROPODA

Bruclarkia sp. [M]

Cancellaria sp. [M]

Neverita sp. [M]

Turritella sp. [M]

Vertebrates

OSTEICHTHYES

Bathylagidae [M]

Carangidae [M]

Clupeidae [M]

Unidentified marine mammal bones [M]

Paleobotany

Unidentified fossil wood [M]

Unidentified fossil leaf [M]

Algal imprints [M]
24
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 25

B: REPOSITORIES FOR ADDITIONAL SAMO FOSSIL SPECIMENS

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Museum of Paleontology

University of California

1101 Valley Life Sciences Building

Berkeley, CA 94720-4780

Phone: 510-642-1821

Email: ucmpwebmaster@uclink.berkeley.edu

Webpage: www.ucmp.berkeley.edu

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Dr. Marilyn Kooser

Phone: 909-787-3440

Email: kooser@ucrac1.ucr.edu

PEABODY MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY AT YALE UNIVERSITY

Peabody Museum of Natural History

PO Box 208118

New Haven, CT 06520-8118

Phone: 203-432-5050

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY COLLECTIONS, DENVER, COLORADO

K.C. McKinney

Phone: 303-236-7561

Email: kcmckinney@usgs.gov

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES COLLECTIONS

California Academy of Sciences

55 Concourse Drive

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, CA 94118-4599

Phone: 415-750-7145

Email: research@calacademy.org

SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Department of Paleontology

PO Box 121390

San Diego, CA 92112-1390

Phone: 619-255-3821

Email: paleo@sdnhm.org

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

DEPARTMENT OF PALEOBIOLOGY

PO BOX 37012

NHB MRC121

WASHINGTON D. C. 20013-7012

Email: paleo_dept@nmnh.si.edu
26
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Paleontological Survey 27

C: CURRENT PALEONTOLOGY RESEARCHERS WORKING IN THE

SAMO AREA

John Alderson

Research Associate, Invertebrate Paleontology

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Email: jjalderson@earthlink.net

Lindsay T. Groves

Collection Manager, Malacology

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Phone: 213-763-3376

Email: lgroves@nhm.org

Bruce Lander

President, Paleo Environmental Associates

2248 Windrock Ave.

Altadena, CA 91001

Phone/Fax: 626-797-9895

Email: paleo@earthlink.net

Donald Prothero

Professor, Geology Department

Occidental College

Phone: 323-259-2557

Email: prothero@oxy.edu

LouElla Saul

Research Associate, Invertebrate Paleontology

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Phone: 213-744- 4366

Email: lousaul@earthlink.net

Richard Squires

Professor, Geological Sciences Department

California State University, Northridge

Phone: 818-677-3541

Email: richard.squires@csun.edu

J. D. Stewart

Research Associate, Vertebrate Paleontology

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Email: fossil50@pacbell.net
28