|
| |
FOSSIL FISH
Fossil fish occur within the beds of what was once the ancient lake
Uinta, now part of the Green River Shale formation of western
Wyoming. Sometime during the Eocene Epoch of geologic time
(50,000,000 years ago) volcanic or climatic changes probably
occurred which disrupted the lake's ecology and resulted in massive
fish mortality. When quarried today, the shale reveals impressions
and actual bones of several species.
Diplomystus
Knightia
Knightia and Diplomystus are both herring, closely
related to the modern
herring Clupea. Diplomystus is easily distinguished from Knightia
by it's
proportionately longer anal fin base.
Knightia is by far the most common fish in any of the Green River fossil
quarries, it makes up over 60% of all fish found. Knightia has a maximum
size of about 20cm.8 inches) and an average size of about 10cm. (4 inches).
It probably fed mostly on algae and zooplankton, making ( it a primary to
secondary consumer. Some layers contain dense groups of Knightia,
apparently representing the mortality of entire schools of this fish.
Diplomystus is the second most common fish in the quarries, representing 25
to 30% of the fish fauna. Diplomystus grew much larger than the Knightia
reaching a length of about 61cm. (2 feet). It's body form, size, and
upturned mouth indicate that the fish probably fed on smaller surface dwelling
species such as Knightia. Several specimens of Diplomystus are known
with a
Knightia in their stomachs.
Sizes (Please Note, all dimensions are
approximate.)
KNIGHTIA
| Size |
Length of Fish |
Order Number |
Price |
Shipping |
Total |
| Mini |
2" |
FFIK1 |
$9.95 |
$5.00 |
$14.95 |
| Small |
2.5" |
FFIK2 |
$12.95 |
$5.50 |
$18.45 |
| Medium |
3" |
FFIK3 |
$15.95 |
$6.00 |
$21.95 |
| Large |
4" |
FFIK4 |
$25.00 |
$7.75 |
$32.75 |
DIPLOMYSTUS
| Size |
Length of Fish |
Order Number |
Price |
Shipping |
Total |
| Small |
2.5" |
FFID2 |
$15.95 |
$6.00 |
$21.95 |
| Medium |
4" |
FFID3 |
$39.00 |
$9.00 |
$48.00 |
| Large |
6" |
FFID4 |
$75.00 |
$10.00 |
$85.00 |
A large outstanding Diplomystus
of museum quality.
FISH SIZE: 18"
PLATE SIZE: 27" X 21"
ORDER NUMBER: FFID-10
$1150.00 SHIPPING: $38.00
A superb fossil . Outstanding detail.
You can feel every vertebrae.
FISH SIZE: 13.5"
PLATE SIZE: 15" X 21"
ORDER NUMBER :FFID-11
$675.00 SHIPPING:$27.00
Order Blank
Phareodus
Phareodus is a beautiful fossil
fish that makes up about 5% of the fish
in the Wyoming fossil beds.
Phareodus was probably an omnivorous feeder that scavenged dead and
dying organisms and also preyed on live fish. It's long pointed teeth made
it well suited for taking live fish. We have several nice specimens of
Phareodus available
MIOPLOSUS
Mioplosus
is a member of the perch family, which today inhabit
freshwater lakes, rivers and streams throughout the northern hemisphere.
It makes up just over 2% of the fish in the quarries of Fossil Lake. Mioplosus
ranges in length from about 1-1/4 cm (1/2 inch) to 41 cm (16 inches) with
an average size of about 20-23 cm (8-9 inches).
Mioplosus is readily identifiable by its two dorsal fins, the first of which
consists of all hard spines. The jaws of Mioplosus are armed with many small
sharp pointed teeth which enabled it to catch and hold food fish, and
eventually swallow them whole.
Order Blank
PRISCACARA
Priscacara accounts for 2% of the fish fauna of the quarries,
where they
reach a maximum size of 36 cm (14 inches). The average size specimens
are about 10-13 cm (4-5 inches). Priscacara is readily identifiable by its
sunfish-like form, including 10 or 11 hard spines in the dorsal fin. These
spines probably prevented mature specimens of Priscacara from being
swallowed by predators from behind. Priscacara probably fed mainly on
small crustaceans, insects, and insect
larvae.
.
An excellent example of two
species! Both fish have excellent detail!
FISH SIZE:
Priscacara 5"
Diplomystus 9"
PLATE SIZE: 17' X
16"
ORDER NUMBER:
FFIPR-11
$425.00
SHIPPING: $18.00
 This
large plate has four of the rare
Priscacara. Each has excellent
contrast and detail.
FISH SIZE: 4.5"-5"
PLATE SIZE: 24" X 17"
ORDER NUMBER:FFIPR-12
$650.00 SHIPPING:$22.00
Heliobatis, the sting ray, is a rare fish in the
quarries, where it
reaches a maximum length of nearly a meter (3 feet). Average size
is about 36 cm (14 inches). Heliobatis was a bottom dwelling fish
that probably fed mainly on bottom dwelling invertebrates, including
snails and crayfish which are also found in the quarries.
Heliobatis possessed two or three large barbed spines for defense which,
like modern forms, it could drive into threatening organisms with its tail.
The male Heliobatis can be recognized from the female by the occurrence
of claspers (small appendages posterior to the pelvic fins).
SOLD
Order Blank
A word about shipping: Although a
shipping charge
is listed for each item, we will only charge you the actual
amount we pay U.P.S.
-
|
