Dorateuthis syriaca
Phylum Mollusca, Class Cephalopoda, Subclass Coeloidea, Superorder Vampyropoda, Family Plesioteuthidae
Alternately: Superorder: Octopodiformes, Order Vampyromorphida, where Vampyropoda is synonym
Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage (~95 million years ago)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 165 mm with tentacles Width : 155 mm at fins on a 200 mm by 130 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Lebanese Lagerstatte, Hajula, Lebanon
Code: RS150
Price: Sold
 Description:
Here is a most unusual fossil from the Cretaceous of Lebanon; a
very detailed vampyromorgh cephalopod known as Dorateuthis syriaca
which shows extensive soft tissue phosphatic preservation. The
orange section shows the gills, while the buccal mass, ink sack
and gladius (pen) can be made out, as well as the outline of the
body including the extensive fins (see the interpretive drawing).
There is a repaired crack which does little to detract from this
particularly large example.
Reference: Fuchs, Memorie della Societa Italiana, Vol XXXIV Fasciolo II, 2006. |
