Description

Green River- Knightia fish plate

Species: Knightia sp.

Age: Eocene Epoch, 53 million years old

Formation: Green River Formation

Location: Kemmerer, Wyoming

The Green River Formation is composed of the remains of an ancient lake bed that crossed multiple states and dried up millions of years ago. The lake contained hundreds of species, ranging from the most common Knightia to gars, freshwater rays, and even crocodiles and bats flying overhead.

Knightia are the “feeder fish” of this formation and are the most abundant species found here. Resembling a sardine or minnow, these were likely what most other fish predominantly ate. On the other hand, knightia were likely opportunistic omnivores eating small insects, crustaceans, and plant matter.

These fish have been sealed and stabilized in the original matrix and have NOT been inlaid or artificially colored. These specimens come from the 18-inch quarry layer, which is known for turning fossils a darker black color due to the higher oil content in that section.

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