Ichthyosaur Stenopterygius quadriscissus
Place of discovery: Holzmadener Revier, Dotternhausen near Balingen, Germany
Lithostratigraphy: Lower Toarcian, Black Jurassic Group, Posidonia Shale Formation, Lower Shale Subformation (Fleins)
Biostratigraphy: Falciferum zone, exaratum subzone, elegantulum horizon
Age: approx. 182.0 – 183.0 million years +/- 0.5 million years
Plate size: 75 x 30 x 2 cm
Size of fossil: 57 cm (largest size), skull: 22 cm
Complete reptile, juvenile in fantastic condition.
An authentic PREMIUM fossil with proof of provenance, directly from the finder, prepared by one of the best taxidermists, very decorative, stable in value.
Price on request. Offered on behalf of the customer. Sale in the name and for the account of the owner. Contact: info@fossiland.com
Authentic Holzmaden fossil – rare baby reptile in museum-quality preservation
Immerse yourself in the world of 182 million years ago. This extraordinary piece of geological evidence comes from the famous layers of the “Flein” (Lias epsilon) in Dotternhausen, near Holzmaden in southern Germany: a fully preserved juvenile of the reptile Stenopterygius quadriscissus. While adult specimens occasionally find their way into the trade, juvenile animals are an extreme rarity due to their fragile bone structure. This specimen impresses with the proportions typical of juveniles – especially the disproportionately large skull, which immediately catches the eye.
Scientific classification & rarity: The “neonate” stage
In the paleontological literature (Miedema & Maxwell (2022), ichthyosaurs of the genus Stenopterygius are divided into developmental stages based on their skull and body dimensions. With a skull length of 22 cm and a total extension of 57 cm, this specimen falls into the scientifically extremely rare stage “Postnatal 1” (neonate).
- Ontogenetic classification: Free-swimming juveniles with a lower jaw length of less than 300 mm are defined as neonates. These animals have just started their life in the open Jurassic Sea.
- Proportion ratio: The ratio of skull length to body length is typical for this extremely early life stage. In adult animals, the head makes up around 15-18 % of the length – in this juvenile specimen it is over 35 %. This “baby schema” effect with the disproportionately large eye disc (scleral ring) is a diagnostic feature for neonate individuals.
- Rarity value: While adult Stenopterygius specimens(up to 4 meters in length) dominate the collections, articulated skeletons under 60 cm in length are an absolute exception. The slender, not yet fully ossified skeletons of young ichthyosaurs usually fell victim to decomposition or scavengers immediately after death.
This specimen thus closes the gap between the known embryonic finds (in the mother) and the much more common subadult animals. It is a reference specimen for the earliest ontogenetic phase of a marine reptile.
Highlights of conservation and anatomy
- Fantastic skull: Measuring 22 cm in length, the head features intricate details, including an impressively preserved eye disc (scleral ring) and fine dentition.
- Articulation: The skeleton is almost completely in anatomical union. Only the tail end and the tips of the front paddles show the beginnings of a natural dislocation – an authentic testimony to the embedding processes on the seabed.
- Color & substance: The deep brown color of the bone substance is a direct indication of the excellent mineralization and the high quality of the fossil.
Maximum transparency and scientific integrity
In a market that is often dominated by composites (pieces made up of several animals), this object sets standards in terms of honesty:
- Not a composite: It is a single individual.
- Documented history: The find was personally recovered by the finder in 2012 and the entire preparation history – from the state of the find in four plates to the finished exhibit – is scientifically documented.
- Masterful preparation: The piece was prepared by one of the world’s leading taxidermists. The tip of the snout was professionally restored using original bone substance – a measure that is openly and honestly communicated here.
- Legal certainty: The fossil was recovered legally and is not in conflict with the Excavation Protection Act.
Holzmaden Conservation Site: A window into prehistoric times
The detailed preservation of the Holzmaden fossils is due to the unique depositional environment in the Jurassic Sea: the extremely low-oxygen (anoxic) environment on the seabed. These conditions prevented scavengers and bacteria from decomposing the carcasses and enabled the formation of one of the most important fossil deposits in the world. A reptile from Holzmaden is therefore a fascinating scientific document that offers deep insights into the biology of a long-gone apex predator.
Acquire a piece of the earth’s history
This fossil is more than just a collector’s item; it is a timeless work of art from nature and a stable investment for those who value complete provenance and uncompromising authenticity.
Viewing & contact:
See the quality of this unique piece for yourself. Viewing is possible at any time by appointment in Tübingen. We will also be presenting the piece at the following trade fairs:
Worldwide, secure shipping is possible.
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