Paleontology in New Jersey refers to paleontological research occurring within or conducted by people from the US state of New Jersey. During the Precambrian, New Jersey was covered by a shallow sea that was home to stromatolite forming bacteria. During the early part of the Paleozoic, the state was still covered by the sea, which was home to creatures like brachiopods and trilobites. By the Silurian, the northern part of the state was home to a river system. Sea levels rose and fell throughout the remainder of the state's Paleozoic rock record. There are no local rocks of Carboniferous or Permian age. During the Triassic, the state was a terrestrial ecoregion. Local lakes were home to the crustacean Cyzicus and the coelacanth Diplurus. On land, dinosaurs left behind footprints, and contin