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1.85" Rooted Crushing Mosasaur (Igdamanosaurus) Tooth - Morocco
This
is an unusual mosasaur tooth from Igdamanosaurus aegyptiacus, formerly assigned to the genus Globidens. Most mosasaurs had sharp teeth that had evolved to grab slippery prey such as fish. Igdamanosaurus had semi-spherical teeth with rounded acorn-like points, which were much better suited for crushing tough armored prey like small turtles, ammonites, and bivalves.
The tooth has its original root still attached making it a fairly rare find.
The tooth has its original root still attached making it a fairly rare find.
Igdamanosaurus (formerly called Globidens) had semi-spherical, acorn-shaped teeth rather than the pointed teeth of most Mosasaurs. These rounded teeth were best suited for crushing tough armored prey like small turtles, ammonites, nautili, and bivalves.
About the Oulad Abdoun Basin
The Oulad Abdoun Basin in central Morocco is one of the most famous phosphate deposit regions in the world, not only for its economic importance but also for its extraordinary fossil wealth. Formed during the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene, these marine phosphate layers record a time when northern Africa was covered by a warm, shallow sea teeming with life.
What makes the Oulad Abdoun deposits especially significant is the remarkable preservation and diversity of vertebrate fossils found within the phosphate beds. The basin is renowned for producing abundant remains of marine reptiles such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs, along with fossil sharks, rays, bony fish, and turtles. These fossils typically occur as isolated teeth, bones, and partial skeletons concentrated within the phosphatic sediments. Today, many of these specimens are collected as a byproduct of large-scale phosphate mining operations—rescued before the rock is processed and crushed—ultimately saving them from certain destruction in the rock crushers and preserving an extraordinary record of ancient marine life.
The Oulad Abdoun Basin in central Morocco is one of the most famous phosphate deposit regions in the world, not only for its economic importance but also for its extraordinary fossil wealth. Formed during the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene, these marine phosphate layers record a time when northern Africa was covered by a warm, shallow sea teeming with life.
What makes the Oulad Abdoun deposits especially significant is the remarkable preservation and diversity of vertebrate fossils found within the phosphate beds. The basin is renowned for producing abundant remains of marine reptiles such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs, along with fossil sharks, rays, bony fish, and turtles. These fossils typically occur as isolated teeth, bones, and partial skeletons concentrated within the phosphatic sediments. Today, many of these specimens are collected as a byproduct of large-scale phosphate mining operations—rescued before the rock is processed and crushed—ultimately saving them from certain destruction in the rock crushers and preserving an extraordinary record of ancient marine life.
$79
SPECIES
Igdamanosaurus (Globidens) aegyptiacus
AGE
LOCATION
Oulad Abdoun Basin, Khouribga, Morocco
FORMATION
Phosphate Deposits
SIZE
1.85" long
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#353189
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