To the editor:

With all due respect to Alan Detrich and Leonard Krishtalka, there is another candidate  for the title of state fossil. In 1952, George F. Sternberg excavated an Xiphactinus audax which had dined upon a large Gillicus arcuatus prior to the fossilization event. 

While the “fish within a fish” is in Kansas’ other natural history museum, it has had its lobbyists for state fossil. Kansas has a long history of fossil collection and some of George M. Sternberg’s collection from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are also on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

I wish Mr. Detrich well in his quest because the fossil history of Kansas is rich and needs more recognition.