Sharps Formation

The Sharps Formation is a geologic formation in South Dakota. It preserves fossils dating back to the Paleogene.^[1]

Sharps Formation
Stratigraphic range: Paleogene
Type	Geological formation
Sub-units	Rockyford Member[1]
Underlies	Monroe Creek Formation[1]
Overlies	Brule Formation[1]
Location
Region	South Dakota
Country	United States

The Sharps Formation is the namesake of the community of Sharps Corner, South Dakota.^[2]

Fossil content

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

Mammals

Carnivorans

Carnivorans reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Archaeocyon	A. leptodus	Shannon & Jackson counties, South Dakota.[3]	Middle & upper part of the formation.[3]	Skull elements.[3]	A borophagine dog.
	A. pavidus	Southeast corner of Sheep Mountain, Shannon County, South Dakota.[3]	Lower part of the formation.[3]	2 partial skeletons.[3]	A borophagine dog.
Cormocyon	C. haydeni	Wounded Knee area, Shannon County, South Dakota.[3]	Upper part of the formation.[3]	Left maxillary (F:AM 49436).[3]	A borophagine dog.
Cynarctoides	C. lemur	Shannon County, South Dakota.[3]	Lower & upper parts of the formation.[3]	Jaw elements.[3]	A borophagine dog also known from the John Day, Brule & Browns Park formations.
	C. roii	Wounded Knee Area, Shannon County, South Dakota.[1][3]	Upper part of the formation.[3]	Skull elements.[1][3]	A borophagine dog also known from the lower Arikaree Group
Cynodesmus	C. cooki	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Mandibles.[1]	Reassigned to the genus Otarocyon.[3]
Ekgmoiteptecela	E. olsontau	Wounded Knee Area.[1]	Rockyford Member.[1]	Right ramus (SDSM 54247).[1]	Junior synonym of Hoplophoneus cerebralis.[4]
Enhydrocyon	E. crassidens	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Crania.[1]	A hesperocyonine dog also known from the Harrison Formation.
	E. pahinsintewakpa	Wounded Knee Area.[1][5]	Near the top of the formation.[5]	Right mandible.[1][5]	A hesperocyonine dog.
Hesperocyon	H. leptodus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	Reassigned to the genus Archaeocyon.[3]
Hoplophoneus	H. cerebralis	Wounded Knee Area, South Dakota.[1][4]	Rockyford Member.[1]	Right ramus (SDSM 54247).[1]	A nimravid.
Leptocyon	L. douglassi	Wounded Knee Area.[6]		Maxillary fragments.[6]	A canine dog also known from the Toston & John Day formations.
Mesocyon	M. robustus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Mandibles.[1]	A hesperocyonine dog.
	"M." temnodon	Shannon County, South Dakota.[5]	Basal part and near the top of the formation.[5]	Rami.[5]	A hesperocyonine dog.
Nothocyon	N. geismarianus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements.[1]	An arctoid formerly thought to be a canid, also known from the Monroe Creek Formation.
	N. lemur	Wounded Knee Area.[1][3]		Jaw elements.[1][3]	Reassigned to Cynarctoides.
	N. roii	Wounded Knee Area.[1][3]		Skull elements.[1][3]	Reassigned to Cynarctoides.
Otarocyon	O. cooki	Wounded Knee Area, Shannon County, South Dakota.[3]	Upper part of the formation.[3]	Partial rami.[3]	A small borophagine dog also known from the lower Arikaree Group.
Palaeogale	P. dorothiae	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragment of right mandible (SDSM 53326).[1]	A palaeogalid.
Paradaphoenus	P. tooheyi	South Dakota.[7]		Maxilla (LACM 21649).[7]	A bear-dog.
Philotrox	P. condoni	Wounded Knee area, Shannon County & Quiver Hill localities, Washabaugh County.[5]	Middle member.[5]	Skull and jaw remains.[5]	A hesperocyonine dog also found in the John Day Formation.
Sunkahetanka	S. geringensis	Wounded Knee Area, Shannon & Jackson counties.[1][5]	Middle member.[5]	Jaw elements.[1][5]	A hesperocyonine dog also known from the topmost part of the Brule Formation.
	S. pahinsintewakpa	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Right mandible.[1]	Reassigned to Enhydrocyon.

Eulipotyphlans

Eulipotyphlans reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Arctoryctes	A. terrenus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Humeri.[1]	A proscalopid also found in the Rosebud Formation.
Domnina	D. dakotensis	Wounded Knee Area.[8]		Mandible.[8]	A shrew.
	D. greeni	Wounded Knee Area.[1][8]		Fragment of left mandible (SDSM 5895).[1]	A shrew.
Domninoides	D. evelynae	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Mandibles.[1]	Species reassigned to Proscalops.[8]
Ocajila	O. makpiyahe	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragment of left mandible (SDSM 56105) & LACM 9491.[1][8]	A gymnure.
Palaeoscalopus	P. pineridgensis	Wounded Knee Area.[8]		2 dentaries.[8]	Junior synonym of Quadrodens wilsoni.[8]
Proscalops	P. evelynae	Wounded Knee Area.[8]			A proscalopid.
Quadrodens	Q. wilsoni	Wounded Knee Area.[8]		Dentaries.[8]	A talpid mole.
Talpidae	Genus indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragments of 2 upper molars (SDSM 5898).[1]	A talpid mole.
Trimylus	T. sp.	Wounded Knee Area.[8]		A dentary fragment (LACM 9380) formerly assigned to Ocajila.[8]	A shrew.

Lagomorphs

Lagomorphs reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Megalagus	M. primitivus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Mandibles.[1]	A leporid.
?Palaeolaginae		Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragment of left mandible (SDSM 5542).[1]	A leporid.
Palaeolagus	P. hypsodus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull & jaw elements.[1]	A leporid.
	P. philoi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements.[1]	A leporid.

Metatherians

Metatherians reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Herpetotherium	H. youngi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements & teeth.[1]	A herpetotheriid originally reported as Peratherium spindleri.[9]
Peratherium	P. spindleri	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements & teeth.[1]	Junior synonym of Herpetotherium youngi.[9]

Primates

Primates reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Ekgmowechashala	E. philotau	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements.[1]	An adapiform.

Rodents

Rodents reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Capacikala	C. gradatus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	A castorid also known from the John Day Formation.
Capatanka	C. cankpeopi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	A castorid.
Eumys	E. blacki	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Right ramus (SDSM 5574).[1]	A cricetid.
	E. woodi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements.[1]	A cricetid.
Florentiamys	F. agnewi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragment of left ramus (SDSM 55120).[1]	A florentiamyid.
Grangerimus	G. dakotensis	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Crania.[1]	A geomyid.
Heliscomys	H. species indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		4 isolated molars (SDSM 54365).[1]	A heliscomyid.
Hitonkala	H. andersontau	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	A heteromyid.
Meniscomys	M. hippodus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Left ramus (SDSM 56113).[1]	An aplodontid.
Palaeocastor	P. nebrascensis	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Numerous skull elements.[1]	A castorid.
Pleurolicus	P. clasoni	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragment of right ramus (SDSM 54388).[1]	A geomyid.
	P. leptophrys	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Right ramus (SDSM 53380).[1]	A geomyid also known from the Rosebud Formation.
Proheteromys	P. bumpi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements & teeth.[1]	A heteromyid.
	P. fedti	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Right ramus (SDSM 56121).[1]	A heteromyid.
	P. gremmelsi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Left ramus (SDSM 5574).[1]	A heteromyid.
Prosciurus	P. dawsonae	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Rami.[1]	An ischyromyid.
	?P. dawsonae	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Maxillary fragment (SDSM 5598).[1]	An ischyromyid.
Scottimus	S. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		2 isolated upper molars (SDSM 58101).[1]	A cricetid.
Tamias	Species indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		9 isolated cheek teeth (SDSM 58100).[1]	A chipmunk.

Ungulates

Ungulates reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Agriochoerus	A. sp. indet.	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Maxillary fragments & lower jaws (SDSM 54161).[1]	A tylopod.
Arretotherium	A. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Isolated molars.[1]	An anthracothere.
Cyclopidius	C. schucherti	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]
	C. simus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]
Daeodon	D. sp.	Cedar Pass, Badlands National Monument, South Dakota.[10]		Anterior portion of a skull (SDSM 675).[10]	An entelodont, originally reported as Dinohyus.
Desmatochoerus	D. hatcheri geringensis	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		2 specimens.[1]	An oreodont.
	D. (Paradesmatochoerus) wyomingensis	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Partial cranium.[1]	An oreodont.
Diceratherium	D. armatum	Wounded Knee Area.[1]	Middle & very top of the formation.[1]	Skull & tooth.[1]	A rhinoceros.
	D. gregorii	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	A rhinoceros.
	D. cf. gregorii	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements.[1]	A rhinoceros.
Dinohyus	D. sp.	Cedar Pass, Badlands National Monument, South Dakota.[10]		Anterior portion of a skull (SDSM 675).[10]	Junior synonym of Daeodon.
Hyracodon	H. apertus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]	Lower part of the formation.[1]	Partial skull (SDSM 54141).[1]	A hyracodontid.
	? H. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]	Rockyford Member.[1]	Partial mandible (SDSM 54183).[1]	A hyracodontid.
Leptochoerus	L. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Fragment of ramus (SDSM 56101).[1]	A leptochoerid.
Leptomeryx	L. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Ramus fragments.[1]	A leptomerycine.
Mesoreodon	M. megalodon cf. sweeti	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Partial cranium (SDSM 54220).[1]	An oreodont.
Miohippus	M. equiceps	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	An equid.
	M. near equinanus	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw elements.[1]	An equid.
Nanotragulus	N. intermedius	Wounded Knee Area.[1]	Spread throughout the greater portion of the formation.[1]	Numerous jaw elements.[1]	A hypertragulid.
	N. cf. loomisi	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Mandibular & maxillary fragments.[1]	A hypertragulid.
Oxydactylus	O. cf. wyomingensis	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Skull elements.[1]	A camelid.
	?O. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Mandible fragments of adults.[1]	A camelid.

Reptiles

Squamates

Squamates reported from the Sharps Formation
Genus	Species	Location	Stratigraphic position	Material	Notes	Images
Amphisbaenidae	Genus indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		2 jaw fragments (SDSM 5897).[1]	A worm lizard.
Anguidae	Genus indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		30 jaw fragments (SDSM 5896).[1]	An anguid lizard.
Iguanidae	Genus indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		11 jaw fragments (SDSM 5829).[1]	An iguanid lizard.
Macrorhineura	M. skinneri	Wounded Knee, Shannon County, South Dakota.[11]		Anterior portion of skull (LACM 9249).[11]	A worm lizard.
Peltosaurus	P. granulosus	Sharps Corner, South Dakota.[12]	Upper part of the formation.[12]	Multiple specimens.[12]	A glyptosaurine lizard also known from the Monroe Creek Formation.
	?P. sp. indeterminate	Wounded Knee Area.[1]		Jaw fragment (SDSM 5578).[1]	A glyptosaurine lizard.

See also

• Earth sciences portal
• Paleontology portal

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in South Dakota
• Paleontology in South Dakota