Prepping over one specimen to reach another can feel daunting, but sometimes it’s a necessary sacrifice to reveal the science hidden below. This freshwater stingray lies just beneath a mass-mortality layer within the Fossil Butte Member of the Green River Formation—specifically within the Sandwich Beds. Careful preparation through these stacked laminations helps us document the paleoecology of this ancient lake system and preserve the fine details that make specimens like this so significant. #P

The Black Diamond Stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi), also known as the Xingu River ray or polka-dot stingray, is a stunning and highly sought-after freshwater fish native to the Xingu River basin in Brazil. It is renowned for its intense jet-black body covered in vibrant white spots, making it a prized specimen in the advanced aquarium hobby. #stingray #aquariumhobby #aquarium | Hendrix backyard TV