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TRIASSIC TOWER SNAIL GASTROPOD FOSSIL IN LARGE MATRIX - Schoningen, Germany TRIASSIC PERIOD: 248 - 206 million years ago With very high relief and choice mineralization, this prize specimen of the gastropod species Loxonema, also known as a 'tower snail', is truly a beautiful example. This very unique gastropod fossil is of the highest quality from a non-commercially worked site. The complete outline of the shell is perfectly mineralized in had calcite with the extreme tip completely solid and intact. This specimen was collected from the hard and heavily mineralized shelly Triassic limestones of Schoningen, Germany and represents one of the finest possible fossil examples of this creature. Each whorl is full and protrudes from the rock with no distortion or breakage. Entire specimen is undamaged and intact! A superb display example!Gastropods are a type of mollusks called univalves. They are the largest and most successful class of mollusks and can be found in both underwater (both marine and freshwater) and land environments. Most species have shells, carrying their home with them. While most have coiled shells, some species have non-coiled shells or no shell at all. This shell is made up of lime and is secreted by the animal from a part of their soft bodies called a mantle. Gastropods have bodies that are soft made up of a large flat mucus-covered 'foot' on which the animal slowly glides, and a head with eyes, tentacles and mouth. The mouth includes a lower jaw with tiny rasping teeth. Some gastropods are carnivorous and some are herbivorous. The ones that are carnivorous use these teeth to drill a hole in their victim's shell to allow the gastropod to eat the soft flesh within. The herbivorous types use these teeth to scrape plant matter off of a substrate. Despite the fact that gastropods mate, most are hermaphroditic (having both male and female organs). Gastropods first emerged in the fossil record during the Cambrian Period 545 million years ago. They increased with great diversity during the Carboniferous Period 354 million years ago. During the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period 251 million years ago most died out but some survived and began to diversify again and survive until today. In many cases, gastropods have become a dominant organism in most of their typical environments. Endless beauty to this excellent display specimen! Perfect accent to any room as well as a prized addition to advanced fossil collections of ancient sea life. STUNNING QUALITY TO THIS HIGH RELIEF AND WELL-PRESERVED SPECIMEN! 8" x 4.6" overall with matrix, gastropod is 2.25" long SOLD GA003 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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