jnicholes Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 Hi everyone, I made a discovery of a Knightia on August 12th, 2021 at the green river formation in Wyoming. Today, I noticed something VERY interesting. Pictures are attached, one under a high power magnifier. As you can see, this Knightia did NOT get fossilized on its side. On the contrary, it is almost a top-down view of the fish. You can see one whole eye socket, as well as a part of the other, you can see where the spine attaches to the skull, the ribs go both ways, the tail is top down, the list goes on. It even looks like there are 2 nostrils, but this I am not sure about. The skull looks REALLY weird with an almost top-down view! Brings a lot of questions to my mind. Anyway, What do you guys see in this fossil that is interesting? I am open to any ideas that will help me study it. Time to study this fossil more! Jared 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 Fish are often times found dorso-ventrally compressed, as your specimen is. They can also be found ventro-dorsally compressed. (upside down). I occasionally find fish in this aspect. I notice a lack of fins, which may mean that this specimen may have rolled around a bit on the lake bottom in the current, and started to decompose before it's eventual burial. The dorsal fin looks intact, but I only see one pectoral fin, and it is damaged. Of course, the pelvic, anal, and other pectoral fins may be covered by the body. It's an interesting specimen, thanks for posting it. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnicholes Posted September 8, 2021 Author Share Posted September 8, 2021 Really? I didn’t know that they could often be found this way. All the fish I found so far have been flat on the side. I agree, it is an interesting specimen. Thanks for your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 I have several fish in these positions. These are all from the Early Jurassic Shuttle Meadow Formation in Connecticut. Ptycholepis marshi Newberry, and a Redfieldius gracilis. 1 2 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnicholes Posted September 9, 2021 Author Share Posted September 9, 2021 You know, it’s weird. I’ve never seen a fossil fish in a stone other than the stone I find in Wyoming. Still, it’s good to know it’s not just that type of stone. Again, thanks for your input. Jared 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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