Tyrannophontes Paleozoic Bear Gulch Shrimp Precursor

Tyrannophontes theridion

Subphylum Crustacea, Class Malacostraca, Family Tyrannophontidae

Geological Time: Mississippian

Size: Fossil is 105 mm

Fossil Site: Heath Shale Formation, Bear Gulch Limestone, Fergus County, Montana


Tyrannophontes FossilDescription: The Bear Gulch Limestone is a deposit of some 70 square km in extent and 30 m in depth that has been a source of one of the most diverse assemblages of fossil fish with some 110 species having been Tyrannophontesdescribed over the past 30 years. Most were new to science, and provided a unique view of the marine environment of Mississippian times. Fine preservation of both fish and invertebrates is a hallmark of these deposits, presumably due to an anoxic depositional environment. This specimen is a protomantis known as Tyrannophontes theridion. It is also known from the younger Mazon Creek deposits of Illinois. The modern Mantis Shrimps are rapacious carnivores that employ a slash and grab lifestyle. Presumably this taxon shared that same modus operandi.



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