Amia sp. aff.
Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage
Size: Fish: 241 mm
Fossil Site: Lebanese Lagerstatt, Hajoula, Lebanon
 Description:
This plate displays a rarely seen example of a fish similar to the
modern-day Bowfin, or Amia calva. Another representative is Amia kehreri,
found in the Eocene deposits of Messel in Germany. This one is nearly
50 million years older than that, giving testimony to the suitability
of the morphology and lifestyle. All were most likely cryptic predators,
lying in wait for prey to drift near before striking. Notice the dentition,
and the exceptional preservation displayed here throughout the specimen.
This is an exceptionally rare species, with this being only the SECOND
ever recovered from the quarry at Hajoula as of 2006. |
