Bechleja
rostrata
Subphylum
Crustacea, Class Malacostraca, Order Decapoda, Infraorder Caridea,
Family Palaemonidae
Geological
Time: Eocene
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 80 mm in length (tip of rostrum to tip of telson);
on a 115 mm by 125 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Green River Formation, Fossil Lake, Kemmerer, Wyoming
Fossil Code:
BGF43
Price: Sold
Description:
This 50 million year old, Eocene-Era fossil prawn comes from one
of the world's famous Laggerstatten, the Green River Formation
in Wyoming. A small portion of the fossils from Green River exhibits
such fine preservation. Most fossils offered are various fish,
but other fossils are also found, albeit much more rarely. Indeed,
members of this species are found only on the order of frequency
of the highly-prized stingray Heliobatis.
This
prawn has wonderful details present, and represents the finest
degree of preservation.
Notice that even the annulation of the
antennae is evident. Decaopds have a spotty fossil record beyond
30 million years, but Bechleja from the Green River Formation
is an exception. There are 3 other members of the genus, all
from
the Oligocene, found in Germany and Brazil. In 10 years, I
have only been able to secure 3 examples of this rare fossil,
and this
one is without a doubt worthy of the appellation museum-quality. |
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