Fossilized Cretaceous Fish + Mosasaur Tooth (2 pcs)

North Africa, Morocco, Khouribga, Late Cretaceous, ca. 80 to 70 million years ago; South America, Brazil, early Cretaceous period, ca. 125 million years old. A pair of fossilized specimens that includes a nearly whole fish and a massive tooth from a mosasaur. The fish has a streamlined body that has developed a caramel brown hue from the fossilization process as well as quartzite crystals along the head before the operculum gill cover. The individual scales and soft tissue are miraculously preserved and pleasantly tactile! This may be in the genus Rhacolepis - prehistoric and now extinct species of ray-finned fish. The triangular tooth enamel is a pretty ombre brown with minuscule serrations along both edges, and belongs to the prehistoric Mosasaur anceps, a marine dwelling reptile. This tooth can certainly attest to their size, and they were one of the dominant predators of the ancient seas with a streamlined body and webbed feet. Size (fish): 9" L x 2.5" W (22.9 cm x 6.4 cm); (tooth): 2.5" L x 1.75" W (6.4 cm x 4.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#168959
Condition Report: Chips to enamel along the root of the tooth. Surface abrasions, and chips to serrations. The serrations are worn on one side, but mostly intact on the other edge. Fish fossil is very good and professionally prepared. Some stable fissures and abrasions from fossilization process. Great preservation to the scales and quartzite formation on the head and body.