Bargain, 8" Fossil Fish (Priscacara) - Green River Formation

This is an 8.0" long, fossil fish (Priscacara) from the Eocene aged, 18 Inch layer of the Green River Formation in Wyoming. It's nicely detailed and shows bones, fin rays and scales. This specimen is backed with hardy board to stabilize the shale. It has a repaired crack in one corner.

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

Priscacara is an extinct genus of temperate bass that lived during the Eocene. It is an uncommon species in the Green River Formation, representing less than 1 percent of total fish fossils. It is a favorite among fossil collectors, particularly those specimens with all of their dorsal spines pointing upwards. It can occasionally reach impressive sizes in excess of 16 inches in length. Priscacara has a large mouth and impressive array of teeth can often be seen in detail on larger, well-preserved specimens.

Priscacara is more frequently found in shoreline lake deposits and less frequently found in rocks deposited in the center of the lake. Its appearance is very similar to that of Cockerellites, a genus of smaller schooling fish found in large numbers in the mid-lake quarries. Cockerellites maxed out in the 5 to 6-inch range, so specimens larger than that are assumed to be Priscacara. Cockerellites have more dorsal and anal fin rays than Priscacara and a significantly smaller mouth.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Priscacara serrata
LOCATION
Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation - 18 Inch Layer
SIZE
8.0" fish, 10.1 x 8.1" shale
CATEGORY
ITEM
#117145
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