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8" Long, Partially Exposed Fossil Fish (Mioplosus) - Wyoming
This is a partially exposed fossil fish (Mioplosus labracoides), collected from the Green River Formation near Kemmerer, Wyoming. It appears to be around 8" in length and is on a 15 x 9.2" slab of rock. It could use some additional prep to exposed the rest of the fish. A small Knightia eocaena can be seen right next to the Mioplosus.
While the fish does appear to be mostly complete and articulated, as with all unprepared fossils there are no guarantees. You don't know what will be under the surface.
While the fish does appear to be mostly complete and articulated, as with all unprepared fossils there are no guarantees. You don't know what will be under the surface.
Mioplosus is a genus of large extinct perciform fish that lived through the Eocene epoch. This genus is easily distinguished by an elongate fusiform body, double dorsal fins, and forked tail. Mioplosus was a solitary predator with large teeth: a few fossil specimens have been collected with other, smaller fish lodged in their throats. Most fossils of this genus are from the Tertiary-aged Green River Formation in Wyoming, though relatives of this genus are known to range throughout Asia and New Zealand. Mioplosus is also believed to be related to the modern pike-perch of the genus Sander (Stizostedion).
About Fossil Lake
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
SPECIES
Mioplosus labracoides & Knightia eocaena
LOCATION
Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation (Gastropod Layer)
SIZE
Around 8" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#292125
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