Mesolimulus walchi (Horseshoe Crab fossil)
Age: Jurassic
Size: inches (25.4mm=1 inch): 5.0 inches long and 2.7 inches across, well-positioned within its 12.5 inch by 11.8 inch matrix.
Location: Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone, Eichstatt, Germany
Code: EP008
Price: $950.00 - Sold
 Coming
from the famous 150 million year old Jurassic Solnhofen Lithographic
Limestone deposits near Eichstatt, Germany, this is a fine example
of the Horseshoe Crab Mesolimulus walchi. It shared its final resting
place with many other exquisitely-preserved organisms, the most famous
of which is the early bird Archaeopteryx. Xiphosura (horseshoe crabs)
are related to the extinct Eurypterids, and more distantly to spiders
and scorpions. They trace their ancestry back to the Cambrian,
and proceed into the modern day as the genus Limulus, which looks
much like the splendid fossil offered here. Fossil examples such as
this one are highly-prized by collectors, and rarely seen for sale.
This one is in a fine state of preservation, even showing the telson
(tail) projecting to the rear; this is often not found in such a good
state of preservation. It is 5.0 inches long and 2.7 inches across,
well-positioned within its 12.5 inch by 11.8 inch matrix. This one
has several repairs to the matrix, one of which passes through the
upper part of the crab at the 2 o'clock position. It detracts little
from the overall presentation, as the photos show. |
