5.7" Fossil Fish (Cockerellites) - Green River Formation

This is an 5.7" long Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops from the Eocene aged, Green River Formation of Wyoming. It's nicely detailed and centered on a thin slab of rock, and was collected from the famous "18 inch layer" of the Green River Formation which produces darker colored fossil fish.

This specimen is backed with plywood and comes with a hanger attached. This is done to stabilize the fossil and facilitate display.

Cockerellites liops is a species of extinct temperate bass found in the Eocene aged Green River Formation of Wyoming. It is characterized by a sunfish-like body and its stout dorsal and anal spines. It was originally placed in the Priscacara genus but was moved to the newly created genus Cockerellites by D. Jordan and H. Hanibal in 1923. There is still some debate among researchers about whether this new genus is valid.

Cockerellites is found in large numbers in mid-lake deposits, representing 5 to 20 percent of the fish unearthed, depending on the layer. It is considerably rarer in shoreline deposits, representing only 1 to 2 percent of the fish found. Because of this, Cockerellites is thought to have been a schooling fish. Fossils have been found at a maximum size of about six inches, but they rarely exceed five inches in length.

At first glance, Cockerellites liops has a very similar appearance to the rarer species Priscacara. Size can often be used as a differentiator, since Cockerellites did not exceed 6 inches while Priscacara serrata is typically found in excess of 6 inches. Cockerellites also has more dorsal and anal fin rays than Priscacara and a much smaller mouth.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Cockerellites (Priscacara) liops
LOCATION
Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation - 18 Inch Layer
SIZE
Fish 5.7" Long on 6.9 x 6.5" shale
CATEGORY
ITEM
#107884
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