VENTRAL PERSPECTIVE ALLOWS US TO SEE THE DETAIL BELOW SHOWING THE LEGS DRAWN UP AGAINST THE THORAX

EXTREMELY RARE CRETACEOUS DRAGONFLY FOSSIL WITH 100% ORIGINAL ANATOMY DETAIL AND WING VEINING RARELY SEEN

Santana Formation (Crato Member) - Ceara, Brazil

LOWER CRETACEOUS PERIOD:  110 million years ago

This is a STUNNING AND EXTRAORDINARILY RARE quality of a Lower Cretaceous dragonfly fossil featuring a superbly preserved, 100% authentic prehistoric dragonfly of the type Cordulagomphus sp.  Not to be confused with a damselfly or lacewing, this is a true dragonfly (Anisoptera family) of preservation that excels what many museums showcase in their collections.  This specimen ranks amongst the finest dragonfly fossils we have seen from this formation.  Unlike many insect fossils that are nothing more than a crude body impression with detail carved and painted on the rock artificially, you can clearly see very rare detail in the stone and protruding up from as well as into the stone.  Unusually rare anatomy is well-shown and WITHOUT ANY RESTORATION - 100% ORIGINAL AND AUTHENTIC WITH NO COLORING.  Stabilized fissure running through the body and plate does not detract - this is the finest dragonfly specimen we have handled from this formation!  Wing vein detail is remarkable with original pigment throughout the wings and body.  This is a belly-up perspective fossil so the drawn legs can be seen against the abdomen.   

Many Brazil dragonfly fossils offered are either in poor states of preservation, lack detail as seen above or are NOT EVEN DRAGONFLY FOSSILS.  We have seen many dealers selling damselfly and lacewing fossils as "dragonfly" fossils.  There is a huge price difference in the two.  This is the POSITIVE impression of the actual fossil and contains the actual fossilized dragonfly, not a negative impression from a split plate that has been carved and painted.  An ultra-rare quality for the discriminating collector and of quality that is seldom found from this deposit.  A potential treasured acquisition for a prehistoric insect fossil collection made up of supreme grade specimens.

Of all the richest fossil-bearing deposits ever known, Brazil's Santana Formation is ranked among the world's greatest.  Santana fossils are known for not only their extreme diversity but more importantly, for the nature of their breath-taking preservation - considered by scientists to include the finest examples of fossils in existence.  The formation provides an amazing window into the paleobiota of a prehistoric world from the Lower Cretaceous, 110 million years ago.  The Santana fossils of Brazil were first recorded in the year 1828 by two natural historians, Dr. J. B. von Spix and Dr. C. F. P. von Martius, commissioned by the king of Bavaria.  To this day, they are still being studied with many new discoveries coming to light. 

Rarely do fossils possess the preservation of those found in Brazil's Santana Formation located on the Araripe Plateau.  The magnificent fossils include a vast selection of fish, insects and plants along with rare occurrences of the remains of pterosaurs, dinosaurs, frogs, turtles, crocodiles and miscellaneous marine invertebrates.  Santana fossils are predominantly made up of two kinds of fossils which are classified as two different strata - the earlier Crato members which are found in shales and thin limestone layers and the later Romualdo members which are found in round limestone concretions.  The lower or older Crato member strata occur as fossils in laminated limestones that were deposited on an undisturbed lakebed.  These types include small fishes and a diverse fauna of insects and other animals suggesting a dry open terrestrial environment.  A frog has been found in the Crato deposits along with the impression of a feather and pterosaur remains.  Romualdo member fossils include a wide variety of fish, plants and rare occurrences of reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles, dinosaurs and pterosaurs.  Most impressive are the fact that these concretionary fossils are preserved in a full three dimensional perspective and when prepared with the utmost care and skill, reveal features and anatomy that are akin to the animal being alive. 
 
The exact dating of these two members remains enigmatic although the Crato members are known to pre-date the Romualdo members.  It is possible that both are within the same time zone of the Lower Cretaceous.  Despite the long period of time these fossils have been known, much work remains in the study and determination of dating and the full breadth of the flora and fauna from the Santana Formation of Brazil. 

ONE OF THE FINEST IN DETAIL, COLOR AND ANATOMY PRESERVATION WE HAVE SEEN - 100% AUTHENTIC

Slab is 5.25" x 5.25" overall, wingspan is 1.8" across

SOLD     IN003     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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