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RARE FINEST GRADE ANATOMICAL DISPLAY CRETACEOUS PYCNODONT FISH JAW WITH PEBBLE TEETH IN MATRIX Khouribga Phosphates - Morocco LATE CRETACEOUS PERIOD: 96 - 66 million years ago This is a very rare example of a partial mouth with teeth of an undescribed extinct Pycnodont fish from the Cretaceous phosphate deposits of Khouribga, Morocco. PYCNODONT, meaning "dense tooth" is a group of fish which are typified by their deep, laterally compressed bodies and "shell crusher" type rounded pebble-like teeth. This made them well-suited to feed on armored prey such as small crustaceans like shrimp and crabs as well as shellfish, snails and sea urchins. In this specific specimen, we see a completely exposed and articulated array of teeth still in place in a substantial intact portion of the mouth. This is the very first time we have offered a fossil from Khouribga of this type of fish. The species remains undescribed and fossil specimens are very uncommon in this deposit with rarely, only a single tooth being found. Here, we have en exquisite specimen with the teeth still attached to the jaw portion. We have fully cleaned the specimen in our lab and left it still attached to its original matrix. Various fish vertebrae and other bones can also be seen embedded in the matrix. All fossils in the specimen are original and as found! INTACT WITH NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION. Highly recommended original matrix fossil of this unusual and rare fish. An example of what this fish looked like including detailed open lab-prepared mouth can be found at this link http://paleodirect.com/pgset2/fbr-001.htm. FIRST EXAMPLE WE EVER OFFERED OF THIS FISH WITH SUPERB INTACT ARRAY OF PEBBLE-LIKE SHELL CRUSHING TEETH 3.25" x 3" overall with matrix, mouth plate is 1.25" across SOLD F031 Actual Item - One Only |
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