Description
Green River- Priscacara and Knightia fish plate (260207e)
Species: Priscacara serrata & Knightia sp.
Age: Eocene Epoch, 53 million years
Formation: Green River Formation
Location: Kemmerer, Wyoming
The Green River Formation is made up of the remains of an ancient lake bed crossing multiple states, which dried up millions of years ago. The lake contained hundreds of different species, ranging from the most common Knightia to gars, freshwater rays, and even crocodiles and bats, which flew overhead.
Priscacara are perhaps most similar to modern-day bluegills, with spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins that would have made eating them a difficult task for predators. This particular piece comes from the “18-inch” layer of the quarry, known for the darker coloration of the fossils produced there. This layer is also a bit more durable, allowing these larger specimens to be extracted usually in one piece.
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 ate. This particular example, however, is very large for its species and, as such, was likely much faster or smarter to have lived as long as he did in these dangerous lakes.
- Fish has been sealed and stabilized in the original matrix and has NOT been inlaid or artificially colored.
- Offer includes a stand and a Certificate of Authenticity
