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THE LIMESTONE SLAB SHOWS NUMEROUS FLOATING CRINOID FOSSILS ON THE SURFACE. THE BELOW PHOTO SHOWS SOME NEAR THE TAIL OF THE FISH FOSSIL.
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AESTHETIC AND COLORFUL ASPIDORHYNCHUS JURASSIC FISH ON ORIGINAL RECTANGULAR LIMESTONE SLAB Solnhofen Plattenkalk Formation - Eichstatt, Germany JURASSIC PERIOD: 160 million years ago Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Jurassic lithographic limestone deposits of southern Germany are legendary. Quarries in the region are privately held and mostly worked by hand on a small scale. The finest grade fossils are few and far between and much rock must be split to locate them. The best fossils are most often kept by the quarry owners who themselves, are often collectors. Some quarries are operated on a large scale but these are now dug with machinery instead of manual labor. Because of this the rock is damaged and along with it, the rare fossils. What all this means today is that even fewer fine grade Solnhofen fossils are found and when they are, rarely do the best pieces make it to market. Occasionally, an old private collection surfaces and specimens are sold or traded. This is where the rare opportunity comes along to acquire a specimen on a level that truly is a prize find. Typically, the older material is often the best as it was collected when the deposits were first being worked and quality was in greater abundance. In light of all this, we are most pleased to be able to offer a highly aesthetic and colorful specimen that is 100% authentic. This is a high quality, complete fossil of the Jurassic fish Aspidorhynchus acutirostris. Specimens like this are very scarce in today's market and most often, when one becomes available, it is from an old collection. This is one of those instances. This rare fish fossil possesses several unique features for its type. First, it is on an unusually large original limestone plate in which it was found. On the surface of the rock can be found numerous original calcified floating crinoid fossils to compliment the fish. The slab has been attractively cut to a rectangular form and is reinforced on the back with metal hangers so it can be displayed on a wall immediately. The fish is 21" long if straightened and is 100% complete and fully preserved with minute bone and fin detail. Fractures in the plate incurred from the extraction process at the quarry have been repaired and do not detract. From the complete needle-sharp rostral spine to the tip of the wonderfully detailed tail fins, this Aspidorhynchus is present and fully exposed in a arched articulation. Even individual scales can be seen and are well preserved. Unlike many fish fossils where the fossil is actually the negative impression with artistic improvement, this is the positive impression fossil containing the full skeleton of the actual prehistoric fish. 100% COMPLETE possessing the superb preservation. Every unique feature of the anatomy of this species can be seen. Most noteworthy and exceptional is the complete array of bizarre rectangular enameloid plate scales that this species possessed plainly visible running down the body! It is important to first emphasize that ALL the detail you see across this entire fish IS GENUINE unlike the many different types and world sources of fish fossils where much of the "fossil" is painted on the rock by skilled artisans. The Aspidorhynchus acutirostris first inhabited the ancient Jurassic seas two hundred million years ago. This fish is a member of an extinct group of bony fishes called Aspidorhynchids (meaning "shield snout"). Key features that set them apart from other teleosts include a very elongated body and snout with large vertically running rectangular scales along the flanks. Surviving from the Early Jurassic to the Eocene Period, Aspidorhynchids were marine dwelling fish that later evolved to tolerate freshwater by the Late Cretaceous. Their long snouts were lined with extremely sharp teeth. Their slender body profile and the fact that the upper jaw bones were immobile preventing the fish from inhaling their prey, suggest that Aspidorhynchus was designed to be a predator, and a quick one at that! Fossil stomach remains of other fish have been found in specimens of Aspidorhynchus. Long and delicate gill rakers indicate that this fish was also able to filter feed to supplement its diet. Some of the largest dinosaurs that ever walked the earth, as well as massive marine reptiles, were in existence when Aspidorhynchus swam in the ancient seas! This remarkable prehistoric fish fossil comes with our absolute highest recommendation and will surely prove to be a cornerstone specimen in any of the world's most impressive fossil displays, either public or private. HIGHLY AESTHETIC 100% AUTHENTIC SPECIMEN WITH ATTRACTIVE DARK TO LIGHT AND BACK TO DARK COLORATION FROM HEAD TO TAIL 20.8" x 14.25" high overall with fish 21" long $9750 F084 Actual Item - One Only |
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