Mixosaur tooth

Rare Mixosaurus Tooth on Matrix – Locality: Neidenfels in Germany

Up for sale is a special collector's item from the German Muschelkalk: An original tooth of the ichthyosaur Mixosaurus.
This specimen originates from a very specific fossil layer of the Neidenfels quarry:

• Formation: Upper Muschelkalk (Hauptmuschelkalk)
• Horizon: Spiriferina Bank (Punctospirella Bank) area
• Age: Middle Triassic, Ladinian (approx. 238–240 million years)

Uniqueness and Rarity:

• Order: It belongs to the order Ichthyosauria, the large group of fish-lizards.
• Genus: It belongs to the genus Mixosaurus.
• The Name: Mixosaurus means "mixed lizard." It is named so because it represents a transitional stage. While it was a fully aquatic ichthyosaur, it still retained features from its land-dwelling ancestors (such as a longer hind fin and a simple tail fin) alongside traits of the fully developed, dolphin-like ichthyosaurs.
• Rarity: Compared to the much more common finds of the reptile Nothosaurus, a Mixosaurus tooth is significantly rarer and highly sought after by specialists.

Specimen Details:

• Species: Mixosaurus sp.
• Locality: Neidenfels near Crailsheim, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
• Size: The tooth measures approx. 1 cm and is in its original, unbroken matrix (2.5 x 2 x 0.6 cm).
• Condition: Authentic collector's piece. The characteristic longitudinal striations on the flanks are excellently preserved and visible.
• Interesting Note: Featuring natural abrasion at the tip (worn down during its lifetime, not broken).

Honest specimen without any manipulations.
SOLD