Diplomystus Fossil Fish from Green River Formation


Diplomystus dentatus

Order Ellimmichthyiformes, Family Ellimmichthyidae

Geologic Time: Lower Eocene (50 million years ago)

Size: 20.5 inches

Fossil Site: Fossil Lake, Green River Formation, Wyoming


Diplomystus dentatusDiplomystus' morphology, including its upturned mouth is prototypic of a surface feeding fish. The genus are herrings that likely fed on small surface dwelling fish as Knightia, is evidenced by numerous fossils found with Knightia is the stomach or mouth. The genus Diplomystus is also found to occur in Cretaceous strata in South America, as well as Cretaceous Lebanon. This Diplomystus specimen exemplifies the very best from the Eocene Green River Formation, in terms of size, bone and soft tissue preservation and professional preparation.

Click fossil pictures to enlarge


Fossil Museum Navigation:
Home
Geological Time Paleobiology Geological History Tree of Life
Fossil Sites Fossils Evolution Fossil Record Museum Fossils