PORTAL:PALEONTOLOGY DYK 9

... that multiple Leptocleidus skeletons have been found preserved as gemstone quality opal over the course of the history of plesiosaur research?
... that the ant Aphaenogaster avita was described from a fossil found in 1969?
... that the early Eocene maple species Acer douglasense is the second-oldest maple known from Alaska?
... that the extinct trapdoor spiders Baltocteniza and Electrocteniza were both identified from specimens in Baltic amber?
... that the Qaisracetus, a genus of extinct early whales, was named after a tribe in Pakistan?

... that the Late Eocene marine Hoko River Formation is noted for producing crab, gastropod, cephalopod, and wood fossils?
... that the extinct ant Acanthognathus poinari had jaws like its modern relatives?
... that the extinct Gigantoproductus giganteus was the largest known species of brachiopod?
... that the extinct ant Attopsis was fossilized in what may have been a lagoon?
... that the Klondike Mountain Formation has fossil hot springs and is a lagerstätten?

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