3.5" Fossil Fish (Ichthyodectes) Vertebra - Kansas

This is a 3.5" wide association of several disassociated Ichthyodectes fish vertebrae. This natural bone association was collected from the Smoky Hill Chalk in Gove County, Kansas. The vertebrae are suspected to come from the dorsal region of the fish. The largest and most prominent vertebra measures 1.4" wide.

Ichthyodectes was a bony fish of the order Ichthyodectiformes, which in addition to Ichthyodectes includes the giant Xiphactinus and smaller Gillicus. Large Ichthyodectes grew to more than 10 feet long and were a one of the principal predators of the Western Interior Seaway during the late Cretaceous Period.

Ichthyodectes anaides, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Ichthyodectes anaides, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

The Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Chalk formation is a Cretaceous conservation Lagerstätte, or fossil-rich geological formation, known primarily for its exceptionally well-preserved marine reptiles. It outcrops in parts of northwest Kansas--its most famous localities for fossils--and in southeastern Nebraska. Large, well-known fossils excavated from the Smoky Hill Chalk include marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs, large bony fish such as Xiphactinus, mosasaurs, pterosaurs, and turtles.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Ichthyodectes sp.
LOCATION
Gove County, Kansas
FORMATION
Niobrara Formation
SIZE
Largest Vertebra: 1.4", Rock: 3.5 x 3.1"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#221390
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our
specimens. Read more about our
Authenticity Guarantee.