UNCOMMONLY LARGE MESSEL GARFISH. ...

Description

UNCOMMONLY LARGE MESSEL GARFISH
Atractosteus strausi
Eocene
The Messel Pit, Messel, Germany
The Messel Pit, near the town of Messel, Germany, was the source of very important fossils providing a view into the Eocene, 47 million years ago. Fossils were preserved in a soft oil shale with a surprising amount of detail; most fossils were found complete and even included feathers, fur, and the outline of skin. Fossils of all major fauna were found there; many types of fish, birds, snakes, insects, and mammals; including rare early primates. Before it was nearly turned into a landfill, the Messel Pit was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995; meaning that while the site is protected, no more fossils will ever likely be collected. Fossils from the site are often prepared using a method called the "transfer technique" which involved covering an exposed fossil with resin and preparing it from the other side to create a distinctive three-dimensional fossil. The present specimen was professionally prepared using that technique; the specimen is a very large garfish prepared from the ventral view. The details on the gar are remarkable; every individual diamond-shaped scale is distinct, the fins are three-dimensional, and the underside view of the skull shows the full extent of the lower jaw; there are a few needle-sharp teeth present and the snout is evident, complete with nostrils. The overall length of the gar is 32 inches embedded in a resin slab measuring 47 x 17 ½ inches.

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