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RUTIODON TOOTH Bull Canyon Formation, San Miguel County, New Mexico, U.S.A. LATE TRIASSIC: 222 - 215 million years ago It is rare enough to be able to offer such a unique fossil tooth from not just a little known prehistoric reptile but from the Triassic Period where few fossils are available for sale. Strong ties with a major deposit where these are found enable us to offer such a fine quality Rutiodon tooth as this beauty is. Rutiodon was a member of the Angistorhininae group of phytosaurs and was a large, stout and powerful reptile of the Triassic. This is a super and RARE example from the side of the jaw where the teeth served to cut flesh. It is wide, thick and very strong, designed to sustain severe punishment and bite pressure. Serrations are very fine and the amazing colors and pattern are unique to this location. The unique pattern appears to make the tooth look poorly eroded but this is just the colors in the enamel. The surface is lustrous and smooth with no peel or deterioration and the rare white enamel looks like a work of modern art with stunning mottling of orange, brick red and chocolate brown. There is no repair nor restoration. This tooth is exactly as found, completely intact and is of the finest grade as well as rare in its size.
With their heavily
armored bodies measuring up to 16 feet in length and brandishing a slender
snout full of razor sharp teeth, it is no doubt these creatures were the
dominant predators in the lakes, rivers and swamps of the northern
hemisphere during their time. SUPER GEM COLORS AND FINEST CONDITION - RARE! .8" in length on the leading edge $165 DT12-012 INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX Actual Item - One Only |
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Phytosaurs
are anything but what their name suggests. When the first phytosaur
was discovered, there were petrified mud fillings in the jaw that were
misidentified as herbivore teeth. Initially, it was mistakenly
thought that these were plant-eating reptiles, hence the name. That
could not be further from the truth. The name has stuck,
however. A more accurate name has been applied called
"Parasuchia" meaning 'alongside crocodiles' for their
resemblance to the beasts but this name is seldom used. Phytosaurs
are not considered dinosaurs but were semi-aquatic reptiles.