Reviews
12" Detailed Fossil Squid (Plesioteuthis) w/ Tentacles - Solnhofen
This is an exceptional 12" long fossil squid (Plesioteuthis prisca) from the famous Solnhofen Limestone of Eichstätt, Germany. The specimen exhibits remarkable soft-tissue preservation, with a well-defined body outline and detailed preservation of the arms. Both the positive and negative halves of the split are included, allowing the fossil to be viewed from both complementary surfaces.
This phenomenal specimen is free of repair/restoration. Each half of the split is accompanied by a display stand.
This phenomenal specimen is free of repair/restoration. Each half of the split is accompanied by a display stand.
About Plesioteuthis prisca
Plesioteuthis prisca is an extinct coleoid cephalopod known from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone of southern Germany, a deposit famous for preserving exceptionally fine anatomical detail. Unlike most fossil cephalopods, which are typically represented by hard parts, specimens of Plesioteuthis prisca can preserve soft-bodied features such as the mantle, fins, arms, and traces of internal anatomy. This unusual preservation provides a rare glimpse into the appearance and biology of Jurassic squid-like cephalopods. Its streamlined body and well-developed arms suggest an active, free-swimming predator that inhabited the warm, shallow marine environments surrounding the Solnhofen lagoons.
Plesioteuthis prisca is an extinct coleoid cephalopod known from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone of southern Germany, a deposit famous for preserving exceptionally fine anatomical detail. Unlike most fossil cephalopods, which are typically represented by hard parts, specimens of Plesioteuthis prisca can preserve soft-bodied features such as the mantle, fins, arms, and traces of internal anatomy. This unusual preservation provides a rare glimpse into the appearance and biology of Jurassic squid-like cephalopods. Its streamlined body and well-developed arms suggest an active, free-swimming predator that inhabited the warm, shallow marine environments surrounding the Solnhofen lagoons.
About The Solnhofen Limestone
The Solnhofen limestone is a famous Upper Jurassic lagerstätte in Germany. It is where one of the most famous fossils of all time, Archaeopteryx, was found. The fine-grained limestone makes excellent building material, which has led to heavy quarrying over the past two centuries. In the process, some spectacular fossils were unearthed, including fossil dragonflies, fish, pterosaurs, shrimp, horseshoe crabs, and many more.
This area represents an ancient archipelago at the edge of a sea. Due to high salt content, the lowest levels in the water column could not support much life and were largely devoid of oxygen. This lack of oxygen and scavengers on the bottom of the sea led to beautiful fossil preservation.
The Solnhofen limestone is a famous Upper Jurassic lagerstätte in Germany. It is where one of the most famous fossils of all time, Archaeopteryx, was found. The fine-grained limestone makes excellent building material, which has led to heavy quarrying over the past two centuries. In the process, some spectacular fossils were unearthed, including fossil dragonflies, fish, pterosaurs, shrimp, horseshoe crabs, and many more.
This area represents an ancient archipelago at the edge of a sea. Due to high salt content, the lowest levels in the water column could not support much life and were largely devoid of oxygen. This lack of oxygen and scavengers on the bottom of the sea led to beautiful fossil preservation.
$2,350
SPECIES
Plesioteuthis prisca
LOCATION
Eichstatt, Bavaria, Germany
FORMATION
Solnhofen Limestone - Malm Formation
SIZE
Squid: 12" long, Rock: 21.5 x 8.2"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#378001
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