Lot 776
Mesosaurus Marine Reptile. Mesosaurus was a very important 260 million year old marine reptile that was the first known reptile to return to the sea shortly after evolving from amphibians but even more importantly helped to prove the theory of continental drift as it is found only on the western part of South Africa and the eastern part of South America. This huge nearly complete 24 inch long fossil on a 20 x 10 inch limestone matrix is from the Irati Formation of Brazil. The attractive brown bone has excellent 3D detail of the vertebrae, rib bones, delicate neural spines and the crocodile-like skull that is preserved with several small sharp teeth visible in the clenched jaw. This considerably above average specimen has a complete body and tail with parts of one the front legs and parts of both back legs are preserved along with some disarticulated digits. This fossil Mesosaurus has both size and exceptional bone quality with the average Mesosaurus being only 12-16 inches long .
Add $35 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $840 |
