Western Europe, Germany, Eichstatt, Solnhofen (Altmuhltal) Formation, Jurassic period, ca. 164.7 to 161.2 million years ago. A superb fossilized prehistoric crustacean known as cycleryon with excellent preservation to the delicate antennae, claws, and legs! The fossil is centered within the limestone matrix, with generous edges and painstaking preparation work to the fossil is evident, the red-brown of the exoskeleton's textured plates, and segmented tail are incredibly detailed. Cycleryon is noteworthy for its unusual, flattened shield-like body with natural notches along the outer edge before the slender tong-like pincers. While visually similar this was not a true crab and only distantly related to crustaceans of today. Scuttling along the ocean floor scavenging and preying on small sea creatures! Size of fossil: 6.5" L x 3.5" W (16.5 cm x 8.9 cm); matrix: 12.25" L x 10.6" W (31.1 cm x 26.9 cm)
Provenance: Private Berthoud, Colorado, USA collection
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#172553
Condition
Professionally prepared and excavated. Matrix is repaired, with nearly indiscernible break lines radiating across the fossil's tail. Nice dendrite formations. Restoration to the fossil, infill to gaps and protective coating added.