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TRIASSIC-ERA COLORFUL RUTIODON
PHYTOSAUR TOOTH IN MATRIX
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 unique fossil teeth from not
just a little known prehistoric reptile but from the Triassic Period
where few fossils are available for sale. Rutiodon was a member of the Angistorhininae group of phytosaurs and was
a large, stout and powerful reptile of the Triassic. This
matrix specimen features a little gem of a Rutiodon tooth. Fine
serrations and tip are beautifully preserved and intact. Enamel is
a stunning warm mix of colors and naturally lustrous. This
specimen is part of a very limited offering and was high-graded as one
of the best examples of a group from the original collector.
NO RESTORATION OR REPAIR.
Triassic
vertebrate fossils are RARE so this is a definite recommendation
for a diversified collector wanting only the best material!
Ph ytosaurs
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.
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.
Each of
these rare and fine grade Rutiodon specimens have been carefully hand-selected to
ensure the highest quality possible. Every specimen is a winner
and an excellent example of this rare creature's tooth completely
natural in its original matrix as found. RARE
AND UNIQUE FOSSIL FROM A TIME BEFORE MOST DINOSAURS!!! 1.75"
x 1.6" in original matrix, tooth .5"
long
$145
DT12-024 Actual Item - One Only
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