Lot 54D
Central Europe, Germany, Solnhofen Limestone, Late Jurassic period (malm), ca. 154 to 144 million years ago. An unusually large and museum-class example of a horseshoe crab (Mesolimulus). This is a positive outwardly projecting fossil, not a negative plate, that was split from the actual fossil. The slab the fossil is on is the original slab to this fossil. The preparation is exquisite and exposes all the delicate detail of the crab. Size of slab: 9.5" L x 9.4" W; crab is 7.4" H (24.1 cm x 23.9 cm; 18.8 cm)
Here we actually have original portions of the carapace still intact in the rock as seen above! Delicate and minute anatomical details you see in the close-up photos are 100% genuine and natural anatomy with no typically seen carving or fabrication! Fossilized crab lacks any damage, missing parts or distortion.
Famous for producing an astonishing diversity of rare and most intricately preserved fossils found anywhere in the world, the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestone Formation of Solnhofen and Eichstatt in southern Germany are legendary. In light of the quality of fossils that are found in the Solnhofen Formation, this supreme quality and complete Mesolimulus walchi species horseshoe crab fossil exhibits the finest possible preservation and relief that occurs in the deposit. It is a prize example for the very discriminating collector seeking to acquire only the best fossils available. Specimens like this are true investments as quality specimens and source deposits rapidly continue to become depleted.
One of the most famous fossils from the Solnhofen limestones are the horseshoe crab fossils of Mesolimulus. Mesolimulus is closely related to the modern horseshoe crabs that can be found in shallow tidewaters off the Atlantic coast of northeastern U.S.A. and in some Pacific islands as well as Japan. This crustacean has a large carapace that covers the head and front portion of the thorax. This creature has six pairs of legs hidden and protected beneath the shell with the first set having large pincers and the remaining five pairs used in locomotion across the ocean floor.
Mesolimulus spent most of its time burrowing just beneath the surface of muddy lagoon bottoms in search of food, namely, worms and tiny mollusks. This horseshoe crab could also crawl out of water for short periods such as during mating season when males and females spawned in wet sand at the water's edge. Despite their menacing appearance, the horseshoe crab was not a dangerous creature and its long tail was not a weapon but instead, used as a rudder and to aid the crab in righting itself should it be accidentally flipped over.
Provenance: Purchased from a German collection in 2012
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#120995
- Condition: Single fracture to slab across tail. No restoration or fabrication - 100% genuine anatomy with no typical carving often seen.
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