88764 – Top Quality 2.55 Inch Sabre-Toothed Fish (Enchodus libycus) Upper Jaw With Fang in Natural Matrix

This is an exceptional upper jaw from the extinct bony fish Enchodus (Actinopterygii-ray-finned fish). This genus is characterized by having long fangs in its upper and lower jaws. Undoubtedly, it is a tremendously predatory animal, perfectly adapted to the marine ecosystems of the Cretaceous. It was found inside its natural phosphate matrix. It is not a fabricated piece. The quarries in the Ouled Abdoun Basin (Morocco) have a great variety of teleost fish, as well as marine reptiles. However, finding preserved rests with these dimensions is extremely rare.

This piece does not have any type of restoration or reparation. The matrix contains as well other associated bone rests. We can observe several Selachii vertebrae distributed across the matrix. It has only been excavated from the matrix in order to make it visible. It has not even been treated with stabilizers. It is displayed as it was discovered. Enchodus teeth are very common in these Cretaceous materials. However, finding the structure of the jaw with teeth in its natural position is extremely rare. Here we have a perfect example of the impressive dentition of this fearsome fish.

The Ouled Abdoun Basin (or Khouribga Basin), located in the central sector of Morocco, is an enormous sedimentarian basin represented mostly by a vast filling of phosphate sediments. Apart from having a relevant raw material to be extracted, it has a series of very important paleontological sites in which amazing assemblages from big and small marine vertebrates are present. The basin has a so great continuity in its stratigraphic record that both the Upper Cretaceous as well as the two first epochs of the Paleogene (Paleocene and Eocene) can be studied.

The main assemblage of vertebrate fossils of the Paleogene sector present there is composed by sharks, fish, turtles, marine snakes, rays, crocodiles, other types of reptiles and even marine birds. In the Cretaceous part we can add Mosasaurs, Pterosaurs and Plesiosaurs.

Next you can visit a link with very interesting information about this sedimentarian basin rich in fossil vertebrates: Ouled Abdoun Basin