Diplomystus

Diplomystus sp fossil fish preserved on a calcite shale matrix. These particular samples were found in the famous Green River formation in the state of Wyoming, USA, a location which has yielded numerous exceptionally preserved fossils from bird and fish to amphibians and even mammals. The animal its self was a bony fish related to modern day herrings and lived in fresh water lakes in what are now Asia and North America during the lower part of the Eocene epoch. It is understood that the mass preservation of fish in this formation is down to a combination of the fish dying in large numbers due to lack of oxygen in the deeper areas of the lake, likely due to predation from above forcing them deeper. The deeper areas of the lake being anoxic (low oxygen), dark and full of a fine silt sediments. The renowned colour of the fossils, which is a deep red or brown colour is due to the animals blood upon preservation, which would have broken down leaving the iron behind which mineralised during the fossilisation process. The specimens are not ideal for serious collectors but are certainly a good fit for educational use as they depict the fish's body, features and anatomy fairly good as well as depicting excellent yet rare conditions that must be met for fossilisation to occur, especially on this scale. The specimens themselves range in size between 50 to 90 mm in length and can be identified as diplomystus due to the larger body when compared to the often slimmer knightia which are also found in the same rocks (which were preyed upon by the diplomystus). The matrix (rock) that the fossils are one are approximately 10 to 14 cm in length and have been cut into rectangle shapes to better sit on stands should you wish to display them. Each sample will come supplied in a white card tray with an information label. Ideal for educational use, gifts or for children who are interested in geology or fossils.