Museum Cretaceous Cyclobatis Skate Fish Fossil from Lebanon

Fossil Description: This plate offers an opportunity to see an example of preservation for a cartilaginous fish. This skate is an adult member of the genus Cyclobatis showing the typical circular body form for this bottom dweller. The degree of preservation shown here is exceptional; cartilage is only poorly preserved under any circumstances (notice the detail to the vertebrae.) The Cyclobatidae became extinct during the Cretaceous, but are thought to be distant relatives of modern-day skates (Family Rajidae).

This is a very desirable example of the taxon; skates and rays are highly prized by collectors around the world due to their unusual morphology. There is one repaired matrix crack at the distal end of the skate’s disc which does little to detract from the exceptional preservation seen here. Unlike some from the region, this specimen has NO restoration, with excellent detail to the tail and spines. It lies on a thick piece of matrix to help protect its integrity.