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9.2" Mioplosus Fossil Fish With Diplomystus & Knightia - Wyoming
This is a detailed 9.2" long Mioplosus labracoides associated with a Knightia eocaena and a Diplomystus dentatus. It comes from our very own Fossil Lake Safari quarry near Kemmerer, Wyoming and was collected this past summer. Mioplosus is one of the more uncommon species, representing less than 1% of the total fish in the quarry. The fish contrast well with the multi-colored ash layer which they were found on. The entire pieces measures 12.5 x 10.5" and it comes with a display stand.
Mioplosus is a genus of large extinct perciform fish that lived through the Eocene epoch. This genus is easily distinguished by an elongate fusiform body, double dorsal fins, and forked tail. Mioplosus was a solitary predator with large teeth: a few fossil specimens have been collected with other, smaller fish lodged in their throats. Most fossils of this genus are from the Tertiary-aged Green River Formation in Wyoming, though relatives of this genus are known to range throughout Asia and New Zealand. Mioplosus is also believed to be related to the modern pike-perch of the genus Sander (Stizostedion).
About Fossil Lake
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
$295
SPECIES
Mioplosus labracoides, Diplomystus dentatus & Knightia eocaena
LOCATION
Fossil Lake Safari Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Mioplosus 9.2" long, Rock 12.5 x 10.5"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#349228
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