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Icaronycteris index
Bats are an example of abrupt appearance in the fossils record, without much subsequent modification of their body plan. This exquisitely preserved and articulated specimen (about 15 cm in size) is on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, and comes from Eocene strata of Fossil Lake Basin, Wyoming.
Fossil bird
Birds have very delicate bones and are hard to find as articulated fossils. Here is a spectacular specimen from the Eocene of Fossil Lake Basin, Wyoming, on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.
Lizard and fish
This iguanid lizard, on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, is perfectly preserved in full articulation. Minimal decay after death is necessary for this type of fossilization. Specimen from the Eocene of Fossil Lake Basin, Wyoming. Note the close association with some fossil fish also perfectly preserved.
Telmatrechus
An example of exceptional preservation of a fossilized water strider (Telmatrechus parallelus). Slab, a few cm in size, on display at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History, from the Eocene of Fossil Lake, Wyoming.
Fish and frond
A perfectly preserved fish resting by a perfectly preserved palm frond...This slab on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, comes from Fossil Lake Basin, Wyoming, a locality that has yielded exquisite specimens of a variety of organisms. Special conditions are required for this kind of uncommon preservation.
Eocene prawn and herring
What do these two fossils share? They died together, they are spectacularly preserved, and they were buried rapidly. These specimens of a prawn (Bechleja rostrata) and a herring (Knightia eocaena) are from Eocene deposits of the Fossil Lake, Wyoming, on display at the Chicago Field Museum of Nature and History.
Fossilization styles
Two types of fossils preserved in close proximity. The herring-like fish, Dyplomystus dentatus, consists of actual bone remains. The gastropod is an internal mold made of sediment, with the original shell being dissolved. Slab is about 10 cm in size, on display at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History. From Eocene deposits, Fossil Lake, Wyoming.
Mass mortality
5 different organisms (a soft-shelled turtle, 3 species of fish, and an insect) are preserved in close proximity on this slab from the Eocene Fossil Lake Basin, Wyoming (on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago).
Wasp
This specimen of a fossil wasp comes from Eocene strata of the Fossil Lake (Wyoming) and its body plan is quite similar to modern representatives of this type of organism. On display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.
Sequoia affinis
Large fossilized redwood stump preserved in Eocene deposits at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (CO). Volcanic activity was essential for rapid burial and petrification of this stump. Vertical side of notebook (for scale) is 19 cm long.