Amia pattersoni | Green River Formation

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Amia pattersoni, an extinct species of bowfin fish, is a member of the family Amiidae, order Amiiformes. This taxon is closely related to the modern bowfin (Amia calva), with which it shares a common ancestor.

Like other members of Amiidae, Amia pattersoni possessed an elongated, cylindrical body with a single long dorsal fin running along much of its back. This feature allowed for undulating movements, similar to its modern relative. The skull was robust, with a well-developed preopercular region and large jaws suited for a predatory lifestyle. Fossil specimens indicate it had strong teeth, suggesting it was a carnivore that preyed on smaller fish and invertebrates. The presence of Amia pattersoni alongside gars and other fish suggests it occupied a similar ecological niche to modern bowfins, acting as a mid-to-top predator in the freshwater ecosystem.

Amia pattersoni provides important insights into the evolutionary history of bowfin fish, demonstrating the long-standing stability of this lineage over tens of millions of years. Its fossils are relatively rare compared to other Green River fish like Knightia or Diplomystus, making well-preserved specimens valuable for researchers and collectors.