Sedenhorstia
dayi
Elopiformes,
Megalopidae
Geological
Time: Middle Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage (~95 million years ago)
Size: 107
mm in length on a 154 mm by 105 mm matrix
Fossil
Site: Lebanese Lagerstatte, Hajoula, Lebanon
Description:
This is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a predatory fish
known as Sedenhorstia. The genus derives its name from Sedenhorst,
Germany, the location of the type species. The genus is little different
from the modern-day Magalops, or Tarpon. Indeed, another fish from
the late Jurassic is also very similar, demonstrating the primitive
nature of these living teleosts, showing them to be something of
an evolutionary dead end that has remained little changed for the
better part of a quarter billion years. Of course, one might argue
that they have been eminently successful for all that time (if it’s
not broken, don’t fix it) There is no repair to the specimen
or matrix, making for an absolutely stunning display piece.
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