Dapedium Punctatus Fossil Replica

Description

Dapedium Punctatus Fossil Replica measures 16.8 inches. Dapedium Punctatus Fossil Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. Lias, Holzmaden-Terk, Germany. Found by Dr. B JHauff Wurttemburg.

Dapedium is an extinct genus of primitive neopterygian ray-finned fish. The first-described finding was an example of D. politum, found in the Lower Lias of Lyme Regis, on the Jurassic Coast of England (Leach 1822). Dapedium lived in the late Triassic and Jurassic periods.

The various species of Dapedium ranged from 9 to 40 centimetres (3.5 to 15.7 in) long, and all had an oval to near-circular body. The skin was covered with thick, rhomboid, ganoid (enamel-like) scales. The smallest species so far found is D. noricum.

The skull was armoured with bony dermal plates, which were especially plentiful in the orbital region. These bones bore irregular tubercles.

The small pectoral and pelvic fins, along with the extended dorsal and anal fins formed a functional unit with the tail. The tail was short and stout, providing the power for a sudden change in direction while the fish was swimming.

The upper jaw of Dapedium was moveable and could protrude from the mouth, enabling a wider gape to capture larger prey.

Dapedium Punctatus Facts:
Conservation status: Extinct
Temporal range: Late Triassic–Middle Jurassic
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
(unranked): Halecomorphi
Order: †Dapediiformes
Family: †Dapediidae
Genus: †Dapedium

Shop More Museum Quality Fish and Shark Skulls in Fish and Shark Skull Store