Fossil Fish Big Phareodus Rare Regenerated Tail Fossil Lake Wyoming WY COA 4021

Description

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this specimen. Also, it ships for free. Let us know at the time of purchase if you need a stand for it.
Here is an extremely rare feature on this long and very deep bodied fossil fish, Phareodus encaustus, from the world famous fossil beds of Fossil Lake, Green River Formation, Wyoming. From the Eocene, 52 million years ago.
This is something people just don't see every day.  Or every year.  The tail (caudal) fin at one point in this fish's life, was partially torn away or bitten off. Over time, however, it was in the process of regenerating itself.  If you look at the caudal fin, you can see this is not an instance of a fossil digger knocking off part of the fin.  All the fin rays are whole, and all of them have the traditional branching out at their tips, including the shorter rays at the top of the fin.  This indicates regeneration by the fish.
How rare is this?  We know that fish can regenerate amputated tail fins. But how often do we see it on a large Phareodus?  For one thing, Phareodus, with its mouthful of long sharp teeth, was the feared "king" of the ancient lake, and I doubt too many other fish were of a mind to attack a large Phareodus, which would be suicide. So I am speculating this happened when this particular Phareodus was young.
The only other adult Phareodus with fin regeneration, to our knowledge, is one on display at the Fossil Butte Monument Visitor's Center outside of Kemmerer, Wyoming, near the Fossil Lake quarries.  It had some of its tail taken off and then partially regenerated it.  So this type of regeneration is ultra rare for this species.
But there is more to this Phareodus than just a rare, cool tail fin.  It measures 18 inches and has a very stout, solid body that is about 8 inches thick, quite thick for a Phareodus.  It is from the capping layer, which is famous for being tough material, and for producing excellent specimens. The plate is about 23.5 inches by 13.4 inches, and it weighs about 24 lbs.
A professional wood backing has been expertly designed to cover the entire back side.  Let us know at the time of purchase if you want a heavy duty French cleat sent to you for wall hanging.
There are 2 species of Phareodus from Fossil Lake.  Both were feared, deadly predators. This species is Phareodus encaustus.  It has more teeth than the other species, the Phareodus testis.
The teeth on this specimen are excellent. Scales are easily visible, and all the fins and fin rays are very nice.
A chance to own a highly unusual and gorgeous fossil Phareodus, the terror of the ancient lake.
We are happy to enclose a COA (Certificate of Authenticity).  Some words of caution about COA’s: Do not let them become a substitute for learning about the specimens. We have been working with fossils and minerals for many years, and we have seen hundreds of very nice-looking COA’s, some that are wrong, mis-describing a specimen. In addition, the person selling the item is often the one who writes the COA (potential conflict of interest). Finally, a COA, without a photo of the exact item on the COA itself,  is worthless, as it can later be placed next to any other fossil or mineral.  We suggest that instead of relying on a COA, that people read and study the subject.
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