Museum Fossil Fish Hiodon Eohiodon Super Teeth Green River Fm Wyoming WY COA2245

Description

Here is a superb fossil fish, from the world-famous fossil beds of Fossil Lake, Green River Formation, Wyoming. From the Eocene, 52 million years ago.
It is an unpainted Hiodon (Eohiodon), also called Mooneye, in pristine, nearly perfect condition.  The Hiodon was one of the rarer fishes in ancient Fossil Lake.  On the reverse side is the remains of a fossil Diplomystus,
This specimen measures about 4.6" in length. That is about average for this species, neither big nor small. The fish is complete and undamaged. The plate is about 7.9" by 6", and it weighs 2 lbs. 7.1 oz.
In his masterful book, The Lost World of Fossil Lake (2013), Lance Grande indicates just how rare it is to find a specimen of this species. He estimated the total number of Hiodon falcatus (formerly Eohiodon) fossil specimens from Fossil Lake at “300 or more” (page 176). That is extremely small, considering the millions of total fish found.
What makes this one special is its features.
Number one,  the Hiodon was a voracious predator, and the teeth on this one show it. Both upper and lower rows of sharp little teeth.
Number two, the fins are all in excellent condition. Expand the photo and look at the caudal (tail) fin. Note how beautifully the rays expand out and separate into multiple rays. Each is clean and distinct, a rarity for Hiodon.
Number three, note the visible ribs in the chest cavity. On most fish, if the ribs are seen at all, you see the half set of ribs on the upper side of the fossil, closest to the water. But here you can also see a few of the lower ribs as well, an interesting rare occurrence.
Number four, the toothed parasphenoid is easily visible in the same photo as the teeth, just below and behind the eye.
Very worthy of a museum, or an outstanding addition to a fossil collection.
We are happy to enclose a COA (Certificate of Authenticity) upon request.  Some words of warning about COA’s: Do not let them become a substitute for learning about the fossils. We have been working with fossils for many years, and we have seen hundreds of very nice-looking COA’s, some that are flat-out wrong, mis-describing a specimen. In addition, the person selling the item is usually the one who writes the COA (potential conflict of interest). Finally, a COA without a photo of the exact item described, tied to the COA, is worthless, as it can later be placed next to any fish fossil.
We suggest that instead of relying on a COA, that people read and study the subject. Two top-quality books, both written by Lance Grande of the University of Chicago, are masterful sources of information on Green River Formation fossils. One is Paleontology of the Green River Formation, 1984. The other, The Lost World of Fossil Lake, written in 2013, is less detailed but loaded with excellent photos.  Learn and study about what you are buying, and soon you will find you will be able to easily identify the fish yourself.
COMBINED SHIPPING: We will do our best to combine purchases to save shipping costs. In some cases, that is easy, in some cases not so much. If you buy multiple pieces, and pay for them, we will combine shipping  anywhere we can, and we will refund the shipping overage you paid back into your Paypal account.
We will ship this only to the United States.  We are not responsible if the buyer reships it somewhere else, after receiving it from us. Our responsibility ends at the destination we ship it to.
Return Policy:   If you are not satisfied with your item, please contact us within 72 hours of receiving the item.  We'll refund your purchase price, minus shipping charges, upon safe return of the item in original condition within 14 days of buyer’s receipt of item. Failure to contact us within 72 hours of receipt of item, voids this offer. Buyer is responsible for all return shipping charges.   Item must arrive to us in same condition as buyer received it (check photos in original description), or the return offer is voided.
Damage:   If your item arrives damaged, please contact us within 24 hours of receiving as we will be happy to resolve any issue.  Buyer must contact us within 24 hours of receipt of item to claim damage in shipping.
2245.YUF#YT5TRD0YDR  storage comp room