Some people have reported them in gravel pits in Minnesota, in Lake Michigan near Chicago, and even near Point Betsie. These round rocks are hollow on the inside and lined with compact crystals such as amethyst or agate. Michigan, like most states on the eastern side of the US, has a small amount of placed gold, most of it put there as glacial deposits thousands of years ago. 7. 20. Respect private property and be aware of the regulations in your state for harvesting rocks or minerals. The cleaner blue and the larger it is, the better price it can fetch. The top place known for copper nuggets, and where metal detecting can be conducted is the Keweenaw Peninsula in the northern region of Michigan State. Along the many miles of beach, there are all kinds of glass from bottles, old glass containers, and miscellaneous glasses that have fallen into the fresh waters of the great lakes. The beaches of Charlevoix are also popular, but you're still more likely to find a Petoskey stone since Charlevoix stones are the rarer of the two. A sampling of many Lake Superior Agates after tumbling and polishing. More than that, nearly all prasiolite on the market has been subjected to either heat treatment or ionizing radiation to bring out the color. Chlorastrolite has also been found in Delaware Mines located in Keweenaw County. They are commonly called petrified lightning, or lightning sticks. While researching mudpuppies and using information from National Geographic . It can be light or dark green, but the pattern is much showier in lighter shades. . We find beach glasses all around the Great Lake shorelines, at any time on just about any beach. The beaches near the Grand Marais area and the Keweenaw Peninsula are popular destinations for those searching for Yooperlites. Theres just something about it, no matter what form it takes, that draws people in. It takes on a greenish color depending on the hue of the sand as the lightning strikes. Classic specimens of crystallized native silver have long been obtained and eagerly sought from the native copper deposits. The most common example is Chevron amethyst, which forms with a characteristic V-formation. Charlevoix stones are cousins of . The most common man-made glass colors are white, brown, green, seafoam green, and amber. 6. The crystals form in an identical matter and its often found in the same spots. Many people are surprised to discover that Michigan is the home to precious metals. You have just found a pudding stone! Found in gem-quality only in Michigan, Isle Royal Greenstone is Michigan's state gemstone. The results forms white lightning like patterns on a dark background, that resulted in theirnickname. Houghton only revealed the discovery to his trusted associate Samuel Worth Hill, the veteran mineral explorer whose penchant for spicy language has been immortalized in the euphemism "What the Sam Hill!" Unusual, too, because it contains the element boron. Lucky Lake Gem Mine 2. Formally, pudding stones are a type of sedimentary rock known as a conglomerate. Other types of agate similar to Lake Superior agate have been found in southwestern Wisconsin. PETOSKEY STONE fossil colony coral and Michigan's official state stone. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you need to discover some new secret spot. While all the mines of the region are closed to copper production, many are maintained as museums and fee dig sites. Current theories speculate that these rocks began initially in what is now Canada around 2.3 billion years ago and were carried to Michigan in the till of the Laurentide glacier, which covered the state approximately 24,000 years ago. Glow sticks can help you identify where you entered the beach and make sure you get back to your vehicle safely. These are usually treated in some way, so do your due diligence so you know what youre getting. It is the fossils of these corals that make a Petoskey stone. Cabochons and slabs are often typed by the pattern. It's fascinating history dates back to the 1800s, when it was home to a thriving copper mining industry. We have a small guide for those who want a more in-depth way to identify them. Just look for colors and patterns that please you. Paid digs are a great way to collect some specimens for your collection, and theres something to be said for having a crystal you dug yourself. In spring, the ice has shifted, and the rocks that have been stuck all winter are pushed up to the shoreline. Gold has been discovered in 27 of 68 counties in the Lower Peninsula and 6 of 15 counties in the Upper Pennisula. The two are sometimes confused, and it's easy to see why: Both are shades of soft gray or beige, freckled with honeycomb patterns, and are found in the same areas around Michigan, usually along shorelines in the northern parts of the state. Beach glasses are usually not very thick as well, being that they were made from a glass bottle or standard thickness of glass. Beach glass and slag glasses are sought after by collectors and are commonly used to make jewelry. The openings for the coral polyps are much smaller than in Petoskey stones and look like a lace pattern draped over the rock. By 1977 the recorded silver production for Marquette was 16,469,544 troy ounces, but the actual total may have been twice as much. Never go far without someone with you! Sea lilies and related animals often have a star-like pattern or five-fold symmetry. For both these, write Publications Room, Michigan Dept. In 1881, Julius Ropes discovered gold in some rock outcroppings there and formed the Ropes Gold and Silver Company to expand works on his new discovery. The best quality gemstone has been obtained from the Isle Royale Mines in Lake Superior in Keweenaw County. Note copper amygdules in pebble nearest upper left corner. Amethyst is found across the world, with the most famous deposits occurring in Brazil. This might be my all time MUST HAVE rockhounding tool. Sources: https://www.michiganrockhounds.com/articles/fluorescent-slag,https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/2022/06/22/who-knew-beaches-in-the-dark-could-be-so-fun-fluorescent-rocks-found-on-michigans-shores/. If you want to find out exactly where to go and find amethyst in the U.S., keep reading! Like any other stone, amethyst has its own quirks youll learn along the way. Of course, you probably dont have access to a commercial mining operation that will let you dig either. Rocks from the Carboniferous Period in Michigan contain various plant fossils, with localities in Jackson, Ingham, Eaton, Shiawassee, Saginaw, and Bay Counties being well-documented. of Conservation, Lansing 26, Michigan. The official State Gemstone of Michigan is the Isle Royale Greenstone (Chlorastrolite). Because of the Museum and what it facilitates in terms of hands-on experience, their teaching and research programs have long been known for their empirical focus, with an emphasis on testing new ideas as well as generating them. https://www.snobappealjewelry.com/blog/chlorastrolite-aka-greenstone, https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/erry-2018/04/64a09f0d318324/isle_royale_greenstone.html. These articles are designed to inspire and educate on the many wonders that Michigan offers in beautiful stones, minerals, and fun finds throughout the state. These stones are pretty to look at, often have interesting patterns in them that can look like animals, or all sorts of things that you can image. Amethyst Mine Panorama: Largest Amethyst Mine in North America - See 208 traveler reviews, 196 candid photos, and great deals for Shuniah, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Michigans history is pretty unique, Bauer said. Sources: https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/puddingstones, https://rivergrandrapids.com/michigan-puddingstones/, https://geo.msu.edu/extra/geogmich/puddingstones.html. Because of all the beaches and many natural places around and all throughout Michigan, there are many places to find fossils. Typically a sky, to grayish-blue coloration. For some areas youll also need heavier digging equipment. Van Nostrand. Its usually identified by its lack of inclusions, but the color match is very close in most cases. Monroe Park Gold & Gemstone Panning 4. The ever-increasing production of iron from occurrences of this ore is a vital factor in Michigan's economy. Divisions are purely arbitrary based upon subtle differences in chemistry and texture. The process takes 30 to 50 years, smooths the edges of the glass, and leaves a frosty, smooth exterior. Fortunately, there are a lot of hot spots for this purple crystal spread across the USA. Both are beautiful and great finds, but knowing the differences can ensure you get exactly what you're looking for. Here, massive colonies of rugose coral (hexagonaria percarinata) thrived in reefs. It was a very close call, but these are our readers' top 10 favorite rock-hounding haunts in our2019 Red Hot Best of Northern Michigancontest. Along the many miles of beach, there are all kinds of glass from bottles, old glass containers, and miscellaneous glasses that have fallen into the fresh waters of the great lakes. 2. If youre into very large geodes, amethyst is a good stone to look into, since natural formations get huge. (1992, Lake Superior Port Cities, Inc.). The specimens reproduced here are relative to their true size. Most often youll be looking through mud and clay, or looking for mud and clay deposits in igneous stone. Instead, simply moving down the beach away from areas near parking lots and beach access points can benefit your search since these areas are less likely to have been picked over by other beach-goers. The easiest way to tell the difference is that Charlevoix stones have a smaller hexagonal exoskeleton pattern compared to Petoskey stones (see below for an example). They are found on beaches in the lower west side of MI. Smaller formations of crystals, often sticking off a white or clear base. Face AWAY from the sun and look for sparkles. It's common to find greys, browns, amethyst like purple and green slag glasses, and mixtures of these. Allow others to enjoy the beauty of Michigan's beaches and the joy of finding their own treasure in the Petoskey stone. When lightning strikes the sandy soil, a chemical reaction takes place. Pick axes and sledge hammers are a good idea if youre going to be breaking a lot of stone. RHYOLITE red to brown fine-grained type of igneous rock. Amethyst can be found in a variety of rocks, including basalt, gabbro, and granite. Looking for information on rockhounding in your state or around where you live? Chlorastrolite is a variety of the mineral Pumpellyite. LAKE SUPERIOR AGATES Typical beach specimens. And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. Do not hunt sea glass on private property unless you have permission. A filtered 365nm UV light will showcase the Yooperlitesand feature their glowing color the best. ), A Guide to Yooperlite Rocks (What They Are and Where to Find Them), Barite: Ultimate Guide To Collecting Barite (What It Is and Where To Find It), Magnetite: Ultimate Guide to Magnetite (What It Is and Where to Find It), A Turquoise Standoff: The Story of a Woman Standing Her Ground in Nevadas Mining World. Each stone is unique and may even host a mix of patterns of the fluorescent sodalite, adding to the ever-growing list of what makes this glowing rock so magnificent. The shells are a variety of shapes and sizes. Over time the nodules of clay cracked and the cracks were filled in with a white to yellow Calcite. QUARTZ with green epidote and red jasper. Here are the main examples. This makes them a relatively new discovery, but they aren't exactly new to the state. These types of fossils are called Blastoids and Crinoids. ), flow-through fractures, and cavities in igneous rocks. https://www.michiganrockhounds.com/articles/fluorescent-slag, https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/2022/06/22/who-knew-beaches-in-the-dark-could-be-so-fun-fluorescent-rocks-found-on-michigans-shores/, University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology. 1. The area is full of other fun things to do near by, from . Amethyst is found across the world, with the most famous deposits occurring in Brazil. Amethyst is relatively easy to find in Michigan, and it can be mined from a number of different locations. They were formed as a ball of clay on the ocean floor around 55 million years ago. This makes Michigan a rare place indeed! In many cases in the Keweenaw, the vesicles do not completely fill in, and you get hollow nodules. One spot seemed steep and had signs suggesting low gear. If you're on the lookout, you can find Petoskey stones all across the Lower Peninsula. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. You can also find chlorastrolite, agates, beach glass, gold, geodes, amethysts, pudding stones, topaz, beryl, tourmaline, quartz, shark teeth, and other fossils. Know where you're going. Yooperlites are rich with fluorescent sodalite, which glows a vibrant orange or yellow under Ultraviolet Light. Its smaller in total size but is especially distinguished by its smaller honeycomb-like patterns. Common finds include: Pockets of amethyst that are lined with crystals. The mine is conveniently located 20 minutes from Ontonagon and 40 minutes from Houghton. And it's not just slag glass that's lighting up; sometimes calcite and fossilized corals will fluoresce as well. Reviewed August 5, 2012 . https://mymichiganbeach.com/blog/petoskey-stones. Pudding Stones form from varying sizes of sediment (sands, usually) and pebbles. Another lawmaker explained that If you think my wife is going to trade in her Diamond for a Greenstone, you have rocks in your head. A Greenstone found underwater off Isle Royale in1961 by Arthur Vierthaler is in the Smithsonian and is claimed to be the largest Greenstone ever found at one and a half inches by three inches. A desirable Greenstone trait shows radiating lines exhibiting Chatoyancy like Tiger-eye. Warm Clothes: When night falls, it gets cold by the water. These slags were often just dumped into the lakes (before there were any environmental laws). The GIS data used to create these maps can be purchased on the website for further use and analysis. Favosites consist of a series of calcitic tubes (corallites) packed together as closely as possible, thus the resemblance to a honeycomb. They become fractured and the fractures fill with calcite brought in by ground water. In any case, youre looking for much the same conditions that quartz occurs in. They're made up of mostly syenite rock, which is similar to granite, which means the rock looks like any other dark stones or typical gray rock, but there's a twist. These concretions form in part through bacterial activity. The majority of Michigan's amethyst is found in the Upper Peninsula, in an area known as the Copper Country. It's as simple as that. Respect private property and be aware of the regulations in your state for harvesting rocks or minerals. Many agates form in areas of volcanic activity where waters, are rich in dissolved silica (SiO2), flow-through fractures, and cavities in igneous rocks. . Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. Agate is generally a banded material, and observing bands in a specimen of chalcedony is a very good clue that you have an agate. If you want help identifying something really cool you found and you think it's a fossil, but you are not sure what kind of animal or plant it came from, contact the Paleontology Museum atPaleo-Museum@umich.edu. The geological maps can be overlain on street, topographic or aerial photographic maps. Seldom are two precisely alike, so giving them names is also tricky. Within that basalt were small pockets of empty space left behind from gasses in the lava and that is where chlorastrolite eventually formed. Always have two in case one goes out while you're looking. Other places where the mineral can be found are Calumet and Hecla mines, Centennial . State Gemstones of the United States. Specimens found in old mine waste piles usually have a green patina coating; when polished the bright copper color emerges. The color, amount of frost, and visible markings are all considered when determining the value of a piece of naturally tumbled glass. Even though Michigan and a few other states have copper mines, finding a copper nugget is very rare on earth. Amethyst grading is based on color saturation, clarity, and visible inclusions. If youre into collecting gemstones, you may be confused by amethyst pricing. Wear sturdy walking shoes for climbing down embankments when searching for beach glass along the shoreline near roads. JACOBSVILLE SANDSTONE not considered a lapidary material, but sometimes weathering processes cement the grains into a compact mass that takes a fairly good polish. These glow-in-the-dark deposits of sodalite can form various patterns, including sparsely spotted, geometric lines, and an all-over pattern reminiscent of a galaxy somewhere in space. These are Septarian Nodules locally called Lightning Stones. If you have a piece that is semi-transparent you will be able to hold a very thin piece up and see distorted or foggy images through it. Brachiopods can be found on and around the beaches near Alpena, Michigan. The best places to rockhound in Michigan are the Keweenaw Peninsula, Isle Royale, Manitou Island, Marquette County, and the shorelines of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. 27. Some commonly found fossil plants are Club mosses (fossils can look like lizard or pineapple skin), Stigmaria roots (similar to lilypad roots), and Calamites (think horsetail plants). Fulgurites are all different shapes and sizes, and once they start down into the sand, they will branch off the main finger, just like a flash of lightning in the sky. Included below is a PDF you can download of places to find different fossils in Michigan. Water/Snacks: You never know what could happen. As the name suggests, Petoskey is a popular destination for rock-hunters looking for the state stone. Chlorastrolite is a bluish-green to dark green stone with a pattern of slender, star-like crystals, which results in a "turtleback" pattern. But there is another type of glass that you can find on many beaches along the shorelines. Some of the slag glass (sometimes called Leland Blue which has been around for over 100 years) is prized for its beautiful colors that were remnants of the old iron ore smelting process, and they were dumped into the great lakes at various places. The rarest and most sought-after slag glass is called Leelanau Blue. The most commonly listed primary commodities in Michigan mines are Iron , Copper , and Silver .At the time these mines were surveyed, 215 mines in Michigan were observed to have ore mineralization in an outcrop, shallow pit, or isolated drill holeknown as an occurance mine. Of all the land along that original Midcontinent Rift, the Lake Superior region is the only place where those veritable floodplains of basalt became exposed, making it the only place to find chlorastrolite. The submerged bottom lands of the Great Lakes are public, owned by all of us together. The Charlevoix stone looks a lot like its cousin, the Petoskey stone. Slag glasses can be found in Frankfort, Cadillac, Elk Rapids, Fayette, Marquette anywhere smelting was done. Amethyst is recovered from veins in granite and other rocks around Thunder Bay, Ontario, and to a lesser extent from Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. If you hold a translucent piece up to a source of light you will see a small amount of light passing through the thin edges. Fortunately, there are a lot of hot spots for this purple crystal spread across the USA. 4 5. Michgan has many fossils of sea sponges, horn corals, branching corals, and of course Petosky Stones which are fossil coral. Amethyst collection is much the same as quartz. Silver Lake is one of the few areas in Michigan known for finding these fulgurites. Headlamp/flashlights: It gets dark out there! JASPILITE a specimen of iron formation in which the usual red iron oxide coloring has been weathered to ochre-colored limonite. Because Michigan Greenstones come from such a limited area of the world, few people have ever seen one. The two are sometimes confused, and it's easy to see why: Both are shades of soft gray or beige, freckled with honeycomb patterns, and are found in the same areas around Michigan, usually along shorelines in the northern parts of the state. https://www.mlive.com/news/2020/07/meet-the-charlevoix-stone-a-petoskey-lookalike-thats-become-a-michigan-rock-hunting-treasure.html, https://greatlakeslocals.com/12-collectible-rocks-and-fossils/, https://howtofindgoldnuggets.com/find-native-copper-nuggets/http://wheretofindrocks.com/collecting-copper-in-michigan/. Marie. Of course, you probably don't have access to a commercial mining operation that will let you dig either. Resources for Young collectors on Mineralogy, Gemology and Earth Sciences. This color scheme is caused by the oxidation of iron. The variety of stones is infinite. LAKE SUPERIOR AGATES A string of tumbled round agates of the size most commonly found. Petoskey stones are often found in clusters. Self-guided Tours from $10.51 per adult The area 35 miles east of Thunder Bay, Highway 11/17 Highway 11/17 Town of Pearl Road #5 North open 9-5, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 0S9 Canada Full view Best nearby Restaurants 156 within 3 miles 5 Forks Restaurant 272 0.8 mi$$ - $$$ Bar Contemporary Pub Tim Hortons 22 Additionally, you should know that Petoskey stones are not exclusive to the waterline, check the shore before the water and even in surrounding areas near uprooted trees or any other disrupted soil. In Michigan, collecting geodes is permitted as long as you abide by local restrictions. The history of Michigan silver has been reviewed by Olson (1986). This clickable map has information about gems, minerals, and fossils in the United States. With the help of our experienced staff, you sort through the rock and keep whatever you find! There are also many abandoned mines in the area that can provide good digging in the dumps but be sure to acquire permission from landowners before visiting any location on private land. Glacial activity spread agates throughout northeastern and central Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin, Northern Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Michigan's Upper Peninsula in theUnited Statesand the area aroundThunder BayinNorthwestern Ontario, Canada. RockSeeker.com is reader-supported. You're the judge. If the sea glass is not mature, throw it back and it will continue to circulate for other people to find. When the smelting industry ended in Leland, heaps of slag were dumped in Lake Michigan. You can also look for sellers offering amethyst geodes at rock shows. Skip to main content. This area is known for its abundance of minerals, including copper, iron, and silver. But usually, after the sun sets, most rock hunters return home because it's pretty difficult to see the pretty colors that can stand out when it's after dark. Free shipping for many products! Singular crystals with a terminated point. There are many copper mines that are associated with malachite deposits. Discusses stones, rocks, minerals, and mineral resources-where found and how to identify them. These semi-precious gems are found in quality and quantity in Thunder Bay and along the north shore of Lake Superior. (1992, Lake Superior Port Cities, Inc.), https://museum.mtu.edu/pdfs/SILVER.pdf, https://howtofindgoldnuggets.com/find-native-copper-nuggets/http://wheretofindrocks.com/collecting-copper-in-michigan/, Michigan's Central Mine: Copper Trapped Inside Calcite Crystals, Michigan Mine (Michigan Gold Mine),North Lake,Ely Township,Marquette Co.,Michigan,USA, Silver: Michigan Mine, Ontonagon County, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Silver on Copper: "Half Breed". When the smelting industry ended in Leland, heaps of slag were dumped in Lake Michigan. Michigan, like most states on the eastern side of the US, has a small amount of placed gold, most of it put there as glacial deposits thousands of years ago. It does look very much like a turtle shell! If you hold a translucent piece up to a source of light you will see a small amount of light passing through the thin edges. Jeremy is a professional writer, but his real passion lies with stones. The beaches of Charlevoix are also popular, but you're still more likely to find a Petoskey stone since Charlevoix stones are the rarer of the two. Yooperlites are rich with fluorescent sodalite, which glows a vibrant orange or yellow under Ultraviolet Light. Youll mainly find it in surprisingly high-grade and low-priced cut gemstones. Individual county maps showing the location of State and Federal lands available for public recreation are distributed at Department facilities throughout Michigan. Erie . On the Keweenaw Peninsula, gem minerals likewise are associated with the copper-bearing rocks. https://umorf.ummp.lsa.umich.edu/wp/mis-backyard-fossils/. These concretions form in part through bacterial activity. Photography is by John R. Byerlay and Robert W. Kelley of the Geological Survey Division, Illustration is by Jim Campbell, and the specimens. If youre on a paid dig, youre in luck and youll be pointed in the right direction. The best rockhounding sites in Southern Illinois area along the shores and tributaries of the Mississippi River near Hamilton and Thebes, as well as old mining dumps near Elizabethtown and Cave-In-Rock. It's just up to you and a jewelry maker to decide what it's worth. A wide variety of rocks and minerals can be found in the area including agate, jasper, many geodes, calcite, and even diamond. Most of the time it will come out easily enough, allowing you to check for any crystals contained within. Canadian Amethyst has unique red hematite mineral inclusions and the largest mine in North America . Ensure that you follow the local laws on what can be taken from the beach or areas you're looking for, and always make sure you're on public land! If you have a piece that is semi-transparent you will be able to hold a very thin piece up and see distorted or foggy images through it. Our premium selection of ethically sourced minerals will delight any crystal enthusiast. On the shorelines of Van's Beach in Leland, Michigan, rockhounds are finding slag glasses and mineral prizes. When you dig into the mud, you should be a bit gentle to avoid damaging the stone. In Michigan, it is found in the Keweenaws native copper deposits and in certain hydrothermal gold-quartz and lead-zinc veins in Marquette County. 13. Pudding Stone from Drummond Island by Paul Donelson, Tumbled and polished Pudding Stones from Geology.com, Close up of a natural Michigan Pudding Stone. Be mindful of other fossil hunters and the Michigan beach environment. Is it illegal to collect geodes in Michigan? The numerous copper mines situated throughout the state are a source of malachite found in Wisconsin. These days he can be found in his workshop, setting the stones he dreamed of as a child. Reportedly the lawmakers had some smart remarks to make before they were finished. The area around Ishpeming, Michigan is worthy of investigation for the hobby prospector. Its smaller in total size but is especially distinguished by its smaller honeycomb-like patterns. Finding the Michigan Official and Un-official Rocks, Fossils, Gems and Minerals. The best time to hunt for beach glass is after a storm. Seldom are two precisely alike, so giving them names is also tricky. Glow Sticks: It's easy to get disoriented, especially in the dark. Other names for the Greenstone are "green star stone" or "turtleback". Many places along Lake Superior don't have cell phone service. The submerged bo, ttom lands of the Great Lakes are public, owned by all of us together. A wide variety of rocks and minerals can be found including Petoskey Stones, Chlorastrolite, Agate, Chalcedony, and copper minerals. Trilobites are shaped like horseshoes, and often appear to have two main sections: a head and a body. Governor Milliken signed the Bill. How to tell if it's Man-Made Beach Glass vs. an Industrial Slag Glass. ), The reason both Charlevoix and Petoskey stones are so prevalent here in Michigan is due not only to our states geological past but also it's present. A beautiful and bewildering material, the Red Amethyst of Thunder Bay, Ontario in Canada and in Keweenaw County, Michigan, area is an Amethyst like no other. Mac Woods Dune Rides has one of the largest displays of fulgurites, including one piece that is 9 feet long. Amethyst can be a valuable gemstone in its own right. Gold can be found throughout the state, but you are not likely to find any substantial concentrations like you would in some of the more well-known gold-bearing states. Original Source: Michigan Department of Conservation, 10 Best Rock Hunting Beaches in Northern Michigan, It was a very close call, but these are our readers' top 10 favorite rock-hounding haunts in our. Our Great Lakes Shorelines are Treasure-laden with a host of truly fascinating gem materials, not only hard-to-find agates but also easy-to-find chert, jasper, granite, quartz, and basalt. Begin your search near the lower low-tide lines or rocky areas, but search the entire shoreline if time allows. Trilobites are one of the earliest known groups of arthropods (including animals like lobsters or crabs) as well as one of the most successful early animals, living for over 270 million years.
