Juvenile Cockerellites liops | Green River Formation | Wyoming

Family Moronidae

A diverse assemblage of fossil fish species, including C. liops, P. serrata, H. hypsacantha, and undescribed species of Priscacara and Hypsiprisca, have been discovered in the fossil record.

C. liops Specimens

Fossil evidence suggests that C. liops exhibited a gregarious behavior, with specimens found both as isolated individuals and in mass mortality assemblages. This indicates that C. liops likely traveled in schools throughout its life cycle.

Morphological Characteristics

- Maximum size: 6 inches

- Body shape: Similar to that of modern members of the family Centrarchidae (sunfish family), suggesting a possible convergent evolutionary relationship.

Paleoecological Implications

The presence of C. liops and other fossil fish species in the Moronidae family provides valuable insights into the paleoecology of ancient aquatic ecosystems. The discovery of mass mortality assemblages and the inferred schooling behavior of C. liops offer a glimpse into the complex interactions and dynamics of ancient fish populations.