A PREDATORY FOSSIL PERCH

A PREDATORY FOSSIL PERCH

Mioplosus labracoides

Eocene

Green River Formation, Wyoming, USA

On a natural limestone matrix plate measuring 20 ½ x 20 ½ x 2 inches (52.1 x 52.1 x 5.1 cm).

Mioplosus was a sleek solitary predator similar to a perch but had two dorsal fins and a mouth full of fine sharp teeth. Mioplosus are often found alone and not in schools, which suggests that it was a solitary predator. They were higher up the food chain and consequently, is only occasionally represented in the Green River fossil record. The present example is a bit larger than most and virtually complete with exquisite detail to all fins, in an unusual serpentine position giving this specimen an almost 3-dimentional quality.

PROVENANCE

Private Florida collection

Warfield Fossil Quarries, Kemmerer, Wyoming