GREEN RIVER, WYOMING

Details

A FOSSILISED ASPHYXIATION SCENE
GREEN RIVER, WYOMING
From the Eocene (c. 50 million years ago), a 12-inch Mioplosus labracoides, preserved eating an unidentified 5½ inch species, placed in matrix.
13¾ x 22¾in.(35 x 58cm.)

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Lot Essay

A very rare asphyxiation scene; one larger fish has struggled to eat its meal whole and fallen to the sea floor where both have been preserved in this death pose. The two fish maybe of the same species, as cannibalism is recorded in the Green River formations. It remains a rare and important example of ichthyological behaviour being preserved in the fossil record.

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