Name/Title
Knightia (Herring)Entry/Object ID
2011.57.6Description
Description: Family: Clupeidae
Genus: Knightia
Species: Actinopterygii
Common Name: Herring
Age: Eocene
Location: Green River Formation, Wyoming
Description: Small, thin rectanglular slab with a single bony fish fossil. Matrix is beige with a tan fossil.
Physical Characteristics:
Knightia was a slender fish and seems to have been a secondary consumer, feeding mainly on ostracods, algal forms and diatoms, as well as some smaller fish. They were schooling fish, and because of this they are frequently found together in mass mortality layers. The tendency for individual fishes to cluster in groups was probably quite common. Modern forms of small fish are noted for schooling, and it is highly probable that the ancient types associated similarly. Knightias are often found in rock shops.Knightia were abundant and important because they were included in the diets of most of the Green River Formation's larger fishes. They were double scuted, having rows of dorsal and ventral scutes running from the posterior end of the head back to the median fins.Knightia is the state fossil of the state of Wyoming.
Elements: Fully formed skeletal remains, showing well preserved scales.
Family: Clupeidae
Genus: Knightia
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Clupeiformes
Phylum: ChordataCollection
Museum Collection of FossilsAcquisition
Accession
2011.57Source or Donor
Museum Collection of FossilsAcquisition Method
Long-term LoanDimensions
Width
3-7/8 inDepth
3/8 inLength
5-3/4 inLocation
Location
Room
Fossil RoomBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
Exhibit
