Knightia eocaena, fossil fish from the Green River Formation near Kemmerer, Wyoming
Fossil Knightia eocaena from the Green River Formation near Kemmerer, Wyoming. A highly recognizable Eocene fish on limestone matrix, beloved by collectors and fossil enthusiasts.
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Origin, formation and sites
Knightia eocaena is an extinct small ray-finned fish from the Eocene. This fossil is preserved in fine-grained, calcareous sedimentary rock of the Green River Formation. The fish lived in calm freshwater lakes, where dead animals were sometimes quickly covered by thin layers of silt and lime.
Due to the oxygen-poor conditions on the lakebed, the body decomposed less rapidly. As a result, the shape of the fish, the bone structure, and sometimes even fine details of fins and scales could be preserved as fossils. This specimen dates from the Middle Eocene, more specifically the Lutetian, approximately 48 to 41 million years ago.
The best-known site of Knightia eocaena is the Green River Formation in the United States. The area around Kemmerer in Wyoming, in particular, is famous for well-preserved fossil fish from these deposits.
History and naming
The name Knightia refers to Wilbur Clinton Knight, an American geologist who contributed significantly to the knowledge of the geology of Wyoming. The species name eocaena refers to the Eocene, the geological epoch in which this fish lived.
Fossil fish from the Green River Formation have long been prized by collectors, museums, and educational institutions. Knightia is one of the most recognizable fossils from this area and provides a beautiful picture of life in the freshwater lakes of North America during the Eocene.
Interaction, care and safety
A fossil fish on matrix must be handled with care. The stone slab can be fragile, especially at the edges or thin sections. Place the fossil stably on a flat surface or in a suitable stand so that it cannot tip over.
Do not clean the fossil with water, cleaning agents, or hard brushes. This can damage the matrix or fine details of the fossil. Store it dry, avoid bumps, and keep it out of reach of young children; it is a collector's item and not a toy.
Fun facts
- Knightia eocaena is one of the best-known fossil fish from the Green River Formation.
- The Green River Formation consists of thin layers of sediment that were deposited in ancient Eocene lakes.
- Due to the fine grain of the limestone, fin rays, bones, and body shapes can be strikingly visible in some specimens.
| Article code | FV3 |
| EAN | 8784765486850 |
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