Cretaceous Lebanese Fish Fossil Pateroperca
"A
Transitional Species"

Pateroperca libanica

Ctenothrissiformes; Aulopidae

Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage (95 million years ago)

Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): 80 mm in length on a 94 mm by 123 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Lebanese Lagerstatt, Hajoula, Lebanon


Pateroperca libanica fish fossilDescription: A fine example of the Order Ctenothrissiformes, Family Aulopidae, Pateroperca is thought to have been a fish that lived within the coral reefs of the time. This one is well-centered on its Sublithographic limestone matrix, with the dramatic dorsal, pectoral, and ventral fins in a fine state of preservation. The Ctenothrissiformes are a small order that is thought to have been near to the main evolutionary line that led from the soft-rayed salmoniforms to the spiny-rayed beryciform and perciform fishes that became dominant groups among the higher bony fishes. While there is a repaired matrix crack, there is virtually NO restoration, with the rich color to the specimen entirely natural.

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