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Fossil, Fish - Knightia
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Fossil, Fish - Knightia
- Geological - Knightia, a small species of freshwater herring, lived and died in the Eocene Epoch, ~50 mil. yrs. ago. Evidence suggests they traveled in lge. schools; ate algae, plankton & insects; Knightia, an important part of the diets of Diplomystus, Mioplosus, and other prehistoric fish. It’s not uncommon to find a Knightia in the stomach, or mouth of a fossil Diplomystus. The remains of other fish, mollusks, insects & plants have been found alongside them, suggesting a subtropical environment. It is unknown what killed the Knightia in such lge. numbers. Paleontologists speculate that rapid changes in temp. or changes in lake chemistry may have been the cause. Modern herring are sensitive to drastic changes in their environment & temp. Lge. quantities of Knightia were preserved by being quickly buried in sediments. The best-preserved specimens died in summer, when oxygen levels were lowest due to thermal stratification & algal blooms. A lack of oxygen both slowed decay & deterred scavengers. Increased precipitation of the calcium carbonate sediment became the limestone in which the fossils are now embedded.
- Origin - Green River Formation, SW Wyoming, USA.
- Mystic Lore -
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