Extraordinary Solnhofen Aspidorhynchus Fish Fossil

Description: Presented is a spectacular specimen of this salt water predator. It exhibits excellent preservation of the rostrum, teeth, head and scales. Note the intact caudal, pectoral and partial anal and pelvic fins. The specimen is side facing. It is inflated and has excellent color and presence. The plate is thick, heavy and solid providing a wonderful mounting for the Aspidorhynchus. The plate was cracked and repaired in several places. However, being so skillfully prepared, these cracks do not detract from the overall appearance of this rare and highly prized species.
Aspidorhynchus (meaning "shield snout") is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Fossils have been found in Europe and Antarctica.

Aspidorhynchus was a slender, fast-swimming fish, 60 centimeters (2.0 ft) long, with tooth-lined, elongated jaws. It also had heavy scales and a symmetrical tail. The upper jaw was longer than the lower jaw, ending in a toothless spike. Although it would have looked superficially similar to the present day gar, its closest living relative is actually the bowfin. The species derives its name from the sharp rostrum which it presumably used to slash sidewise at prey fish. Once its prey was stunned, the sharp teeth would be used. The genus became extinct in the Cretaceous, leaving no descendants.

This spectacular fossil comes from the famous Lagerstätte, the lithographic limestone Solnhofen deposits of Germany. These 150 million year old deposits are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved and diverse organisms, the most famous of which are the handful of specimens of the ancient bird Archaeopteryx.