Gasterosteus Hazen Fish Fossils from Nevada

Description: Presented is an extraordinary death assemblage of Sticklebacks. There are eight specimens on this plate. Each one of them displays incredible preservation. Note the attractive rust orange patina. How did they die? Perhaps a mass die-off due to an algal bloom, or, ash fall event.

There are two different species of Pliocene fish (the other being Fundulus nevadensis) from the diatomaceous earth quarries surrounding Hazen and Fernley, Nevada. An interesting note concerning these fish species is that they are never found associated in the geological sequence of layers. Moreover, they are to the exception of an occasional bird feather or leaf (and a snake we donated to a museum in Utah), virtually the only fossils found at the quarries. The fish will be shipped in an attractive glass enclosed Riker mount.

WARNING: Because of the extreme fragility of this plate, I highly advise not disturbing it in any way. There is a matrix crack already present. Even removing the glass cover is a danger to the specimen. The Riker mount will keep the plate well protected. Your handling it will almost certainly cause damage.