RARE FOSSIL FISH ASPIRATION — BIG FISH TRYING... Lot 20
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RARE FOSSIL FISH ASPIRATION — BIG FISH TRYING TO EAT LITTLE FISH
Mioplosus labracoides, Diplomystus dentatus
Eocene
Green River Formation, Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA
Even amongst the abundant treasures of the Green River Formation, source of some of the finest fossil fish in the entire world, the occurrence of a large fish in the process of eating and effectively choking to death on a smaller fish – known as an "aspiration" – is indeed a rare phenomenon. The present example is truly exceptional, both for its size and for the level of detail. A large predaceous perch-like Mioplosus was undone by a Diplomystus, on whom it was trying to snack, the smaller fish protruding almost halfway from the larger one's mouth. The detail to the fossils are superb, with excellent three-dimensionality to the larger fish's vertebrae and bony skull. The entire specimen has been prepared to the highest standards. Capturing a life and death moment which occurred over 50 million years ago, this dramatic action seen has become a snapshot in time forever. The dark brown of the fossils contrasts nicely from the pale limestone matrix measuring 22 x 28 in. (56,5 x 71,5 cm).
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