The 40th annual MAPS Fossil Expo was held April 6-8 in Iowa City, Iowa. This is the world’s largest fossils-only show. Many vendors had material for sale, there were several nice displays, and quality presenters spoke on a variety of topics from extinction to trilobites.
Going into each Expo, I hope to acquire a few nice fossils for the collection. And the show this year did not disappoint: there were many specimens that drew me in, though I somehow resisted buying all of them. Below are pictures of some newbies now in the collection.
![](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/fig1edrio-1440x1080.jpg)
Figure 1. Cryptogoleus chapmani, edrioasteroid, Ordovician, Verulam Formation, Gamebridge, Ontario. Specimen is 1 inch in diameter. Prepared by Joe Koniecki.
![](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/fig2edrio-1440x1080.jpg)
Figure 2. Isorophusella incondita, edrioasteroid, Ordovician, Bobcaygeon Formation, Brechin, Ontario. Specimen is 1 3/16 inches in diameter. Prepared by Joe Koniecki.
![](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/hunchedPhacops-e1523235933721-810x1080.jpg)
Figure 3. Phacops sp., trilobite, Middle Devonian, Alnif, Morocco. Specimen is 1.5 inches long. Prepared by Hassane M’Hamdi.
![](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/enrolledPhacops-1440x1080.jpg)
Figure 4. Phacops sp., trilobite, Middle Devonian, Jorf, Morocco. Specimen is 1 5/8 inches across. Prepared by Khalid Oumouhou.
![](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/curledPhacops-e1523236168766-810x1080.jpg)
Figure 5. Phacops sp., trilobite, Middle Devonian, Alnif, Morocco. Specimen is 1 3/8 inches tall. Prepared by Hassane M’Hamdi.
![](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/drotops-e1523236294544-810x1080.jpg)
Figure 6. Drotops armatus, trilobite, Middle Devonian, Erfoud, Morocco. Specimen is 2.5 inches in diameter. Prepared by Hassane M’Hamdi.
So, a very successful show. If you would like to learn more about MAPS (Mid-America Paleontology Society) and the show, go to their web site at www.midamericapaleo.org. And mark you calendar for the Expo in 2019 (March 29-31)!
Don Bissett
![Don at Red Rock Park](http://www.drydredgers.org/blog/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Don-at-Red-Rock-Park-150x100.jpg)
A long-time member of the Dry Dredgers, I’ve been collecting fossils ever since moving to Cincinnati in 1975 to work at P&G. I was introduced to fossil collecting by Bruce Gibson, another Dry Dredger and co-worker at P&G. Shortly after that, I met Dredger Dan Cooper. Both of them taught me a lot about the hobby. Ever since, I’ve been hooked on fossils.
My primary focus is collecting trilobites and echinoderms, though I often find myself accumulating a much wider assortment of fossils. Beyond the collecting hobby, I’ve also had the opportunity to work with professional paleontologists – extremely rewarding experiences. Some of those have been described in Dry Dredger Bulletin articles, MAPS (Mid-American Paleontology Society) articles, and technical publications. I plan to share more about collecting and professional interactions in my blog posts.Latest posts by Don Bissett (see all)
- Massie Shale Calymene - January 4, 2021
- Mississippian starfish - November 13, 2020
- Walcott-Rust Starfish - October 25, 2020
- Spathacalymene - September 20, 2020
- Penn Dixie Dig with the Experts 2018 - May 27, 2018