Trilobites: These extinct marine arthropods are widely distributed in the Pyrenees. They thrived during the Paleozoic era, from the Cambrian period to the Devonian period. Trilobite fossils can be found in many locations, such as the Cambrian shales near Gavarnie in France, and in the Ordovician limestones in the Vallibierna area in Spain.
Ammonites: Ammonites are extinct cephalopods, related to modern-day squids and cuttlefish. They are commonly found in the Mesozoic rocks of the Pyrenees, especially in the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Fossilized ammonites can be observed in the limestones and marls of sites like the Col de Ares in France, and the Sierra del Montsec in Spain.
Echinoids (sea urchins): Echinoids are marine invertebrates with spiny shells. Their fossils are widespread in the Pyrenees, from the Paleozoic to the Tertiary periods. They can be found in shallow marine deposits such as the Cretaceous limestones in the Roncal area of Spain.
Rudist bivalves: Rudist bivalves were abundant during the Late Cretaceous period. They are large and often bizarre in shape, forming reef structures in some areas of the Pyrenees. Fossilized rudists can be observed in locations such as the Gavarnie Gorge and Luz-Saint-Sauveur area in France, as well as in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park in Spain.
Nummulites: Nummulites are extinct single-celled foraminifera that lived in warm, shallow seas. Nummulite fossils are common in the Eocene limestones in the Pyrenean region, particularly in the Hecho area of Spain and the region around Pau and Mauléon in France.
Oligocene mammals: The Pyrenees have also yielded important mammalian fossils from the Oligocene epoch, such as the remains of early primates, rodents, and carnivores, providing insights into the early evolution of these groups.
These are just a few examples of the diverse fossils found in the Pyrenees. The complex geological history and environmental conditions of the mountain range have resulted in a rich and important paleontological heritage that continues to attract scientists and researchers from around the world.