Large Double Priscacara Fossil Fish Plate - 20x12"

This is a nice piece from the Green River Formation of Wyoming featuring two large and well preserved Cockerellites liops. The larger fish is 6.9" long and they are centered on a rectangularly cut 20x12" slab of rock. It would be perfect for being framed or mounted on a wall.

It comes from the famous 18 inch layer, and was collected at Warfield's Quarry near Kemmerer, Wyoming over a decade ago. This fish are very detailed with dark preservation distinctive to this thin layer.

Optionally we can frame this piece for you, for about an extra $120 (depending on the frame style chosen).

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 liops
LOCATION
Warfield's Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Larger fish 6.9", Matrix 20x12"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#13354
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