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PUSTULOSE DETAIL INTACT ON CLAW CARAPACE SEEN ABOVE
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JURASSIC DECAPOD FOSSIL ERYMA LOBSTER IN FANTASTIC POSITION WITH ANTENNAE ON SOLNHOFEN LITHOGRAPHIC LIMESTONE Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation - Eichstatt, Germany UPPER JURASSIC PERIOD (MALM): 154 - 144 million years ago Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation of southern Germany is legendary. This is a TOP GRADE example of the oldest true lobster, Eryma modestiformis. Fine quality Solnhofen fossils are now much more rare than in past years. Many superb specimens come from old private collections as modern machinery destroys many fossils that were once easy to see and extract in the days of manual labor. Also, many quarries are now closed to commercial operations. This is a fantastic specimen with superb natural preservation. Rather than viewable from a side only or top-down only pose, this unique specimen shows a top view at an angle allowing full display of the entire creature in a highly attractive swimming pose with outstretched claws. The antennae are preserved and visible which is rare in fossils of these creatures. The carapace and appendages are well-mineralized. Close-up photo above even shows preserved pustulose detail in the carapace of the claw. 100% GENUINE WITHOUT ENHANCEMENT, RESTORATION OR TYPICAL PAINTING OF APPENDAGES. Fossil is on its original UNBROKEN slab of limestone and shows highly aesthetic color variations in the rock. Many crustacean fossils on lithographic limestone from both Germany and Lebanon ARE artificially enhanced in some way. This often occurs by painting on fine detail of appendages and antennae at the least all the way to painting an entire animal where one did not exist. A variety of sellers feature these heavily restored fossils being sold as '100% genuine' instead of being disclosed accurately. If you examine the images above and of the other crustacean fossils we offer in this section and compare the REAL detail of our specimens with what is shown in substantially lower-priced offers of some other dealers, you will easily see the difference if they post high-resolution images. Examples of some fake crustacean fossils can be seen here. The low price of one of these fossils with heavy restoration or of a pure fake is a FRACTION of what a real specimen. Quarry owners all over the world that produce these kinds of fossils are not stupid and all know the value of genuine, fine grade specimens and charge accordingly. The dramatic effect faking and enhancement has to the price of the fossil cannot be overstated. Eryma modestiformis is an extinct member of the diverse group of arthropods called DECAPODA. Decapods comprise lobster, shrimp, prawns and crabs. The majority of Solnhofen crustaceans are decapods. Of all Solnhofen decapod fossils, shrimp such as Aeger, are the most common and abundant. Eryma is not a shrimp but is classified as a lobster and is the oldest true lobster. Lobster, shrimp and prawns all possess an elongated, segmented body with a flexible carapace covering the thorax and head. Other basic traits are the presence of multiple pairs of limbs and a fan-like tail. Because of the lightness and loose articulation of a decapod's carapace, intact preservation of the entire creature is quite rare and the abundance of the animal in the fossil layers is most often represented by partial or poorly preserved specimens. SUPERB QUALITY / POSITION IN THIS JURASSIC PRIMITIVE LOBSTER FOSSIL - FINE COLOR AND 100% NATURAL - LIMESTONE PLATE INTACT! 7" x 6.7" overall with matrix, crustacean is 2.1" long if straightened SOLD CRUS-010 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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