-Andy- Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 I've always loved living fossils, especially the fish. They are relics of an age long lost, offering us a glimpse of an incredible prehistoric world. Some are enigmas that survived countless extinction events since the Devonian. Others are majestic predators that swam alongside the dinosaurs. Let me present my collection of living fossil fishes from the Mesozoic and before. I will begin with one of the most famous of all - the coelacanth Coelacanth Species: Whiteia woodwardi Age: 252.3 - 251.3 mya | early Triassic Formation: Diego Basin; Middle Sakamena Formation Locality: Ambilobe, Madagascar First appearance: Eoachtinistia foreyi was found 360 million years ago in Australia Paddlefish Species: Protopsephurus liui Age: 125.5 - 112.5 mya | early Cretaceous Formation: Yixian Formation Locality: Lingyuan City, Liaoning First appearance: This is the oldest known species Sturgeon Species: Peipiaosteus fengningensis Age: 125.5 - 120 mya | early Cretaceous Formation: Jehol Biota Locality: Chifeng, Nei Mongol First appearance: Multiple species e.g. Yanosteus longidorsalis found since 125 million years ago in China Pipefish Species: Hipposygnathus sp. Age: 28.1 - 13.8 mya | Oliogocene - Miocene Formation: Monterey Formation Locality: Santa Ynez Valley, California, USA First appearance: Solenostomidae species were found 55.8 million years ago in Italy Note: Although most of this collection only includes fishes that existed since the Mesozoic or later, I made an exception for the pipefish as their order, syngnathiform, existed since the late Cretaceous 11 Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 Ray/Skate Species: Cyclobatis cf. oligodactylus Age: 99.7 - 94.3 mya | late Cretaceous Formation: Sannine Limestone Formation Locality: Hajoula, Lebanon First appearance: Antiquaobatis grimmenensis was found 183 million years ago in Germany Shark Species: Scyliorhinus sp. Age: 99.7 - 94.3 mya | late Cretaceous Formation: Sannine Limestone Formation Locality: Hakel, Lebanon First appearance: Elegestolepis grossi was found since 420 million years ago in Russia Bowfin Species: Cyclurus keheri Age: 48.6 - 40.4 mya | Eocene Formation: Messel Formation Locality: Messel Pit, Darmstadt, Germany First appearance: Guizhouamia bellula was found since 242 million years ago in China 12 Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 Gar Species: Atractosteus messelensis Age: 48.6 - 40.4 mya | Eocene Formation: Messel Formation Locality: Messel Pit, Darmstadt, Germany First appearance: Lepisosteidae indet. found since 145.5 million years ago in multiple countries Eel Species: cf. Anguillavus quadripinnis Age: 99.7 - 94.3 mya | late Cretaceous Formation: Sannine Limestone Formation Locality: Hajoula, Lebanon First appearance: Protanguilla palau is an extant species. Based off morphology and whole mitochondrial genomes data, its lineage probably existed since 200 million years ago Flagfin Species: Nematonotus longispinus Age: 99.7 - 94.3 mya | late Cretaceous Formation: Sannine Limestone Formation Locality: Hakel, Lebanon First appearance: This is the oldest known genus 12 Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 Arowana Species: Pharoedus encaustus Age: 55.8 - 46.2 mya | early Eocene Formation: Green River Formation Locality: Lincoln County, Wyoming, USA First appearance: Osteoglossidae indet. was found 140.2 million years ago in Japan Pike Species: Esox lucius Age: 0.13 - 0.115 mya | late Pleistocene Formation: Eem Formation Locality: Zandmotor, Netherlands First appearance: Estesesox foxi was found 84.9 million years ago in Canada Bichir Species: Bawitius bartheli Age: 99.7 - 94.3 mya | late Cretaceous Formation: Kem Kem Beds Locality: East of El Begga, Southeast Morocco First appearance: This is the oldest known species 11 Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 Lamprey Species: Mesomyzon cf. mengae Age: 135.4 - 126.3 mya | early Cretaceous Formation: Huajiying Formation Locality: Weichang, Hebei Province First appearance: Priscomyzon riniensis was found 360 million years ago in South Africa Hagfish Species: Gilpichthys greenei Age: 311.4 - 306.9 mya | Late Carboniferous Formation: Carbondale Formation; Francis Creek Shale Member Locality: Grundy County, Illinois, USA First appearance: Multiple species e.g. Myxinikela siroka found since 318 million years ago in USA Lungfish Species: Dipterus valenciennesi Age: 385 mya | middle Devonian Formation: Caithness Flagstones Group; Achanarras Fish Bed Member Locality: Achanarras Quarry, Caithness, Scotland First appearance: Diabolepis speratus was found 416 million years ago in China 14 Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenJD Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Cool idea for a collection, and great presentation showing the comparison between the fossil and "living fossil". Well done Andy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Great assemblage and how its presented. Cool specimens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Masp Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Wow this entire thread is impressive, very cool fossils! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilsonwheels Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Excellent collection and presentation Andy. Very informative and some impressive specimens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Great thread, Andy! Excellent photos. Thanks for showing us. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 IPFOTM -- MAY - 2024 _________________________________________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilNerd Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 I didn’t realize that some of those were living fossils. Learned something new this morning so it will be a good day. Thanks for sharing! The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. -Neil deGrasse Tyson Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't. -Bill Nye (The Science Guy) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 You have a heck of a nice collection of fishes. Very very impressive! RB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Trilo Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Incredible collection, the rays are my favorite, its cool how you can see "feet" even though they are fish. “If fossils are not "boggling" your mind then you are simply not doing it right” -Ken (digit) "No fossil is garbage, it´s just not completely preserved” -Franz (FranzBernhard) "With hammer in hand, the open horizon of time, and dear friends by my side, what can we not accomplish together?" -Kane (Kane) "We are in a way conquering time, reuniting members of a long lost family" -Quincy (Opabinia Blues) "I loved reading the trip reports, I loved the sharing, I loved the educational aspect, I loved the humor. It felt like home. It still does" -Mike (Pagurus) “The best deal I ever got was getting accepted as a member on The Fossil Forum. Not only got an invaluable pool of knowledge, but gained a loving family as well.” -Doren (caldigger) "it really is nice, to visit the oasis that is TFF" -Tim (fossildude19) "Life's Good! -Adam (Tidgy's Dad) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele 1937 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Wonderful fossil compliments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thelivingdead531 Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 Great post! I love fossil fish and this was very informative. That is quite a collection that I could only dream of having! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeS Posted November 1, 2020 Share Posted November 1, 2020 amazing stuff. thanks for sharing and this very nice thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mioplosus_Lover24 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 I love this! Though the comparison of Nematonotus longispinus to modern flagfish is more convergent evolution rather than a direct relation. "Life is too complex for me to wrap my mind around, that's why I have fossils and not pets!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted November 2, 2020 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 Thanks for the comments everyone! I am happy to have shared my collection On 31/10/2020 at 7:14 PM, FossilNerd said: I didn’t realize that some of those were living fossils. Learned something new this morning so it will be a good day. Thanks for sharing! You are welcome. I learnt quite a bit myself when compiling the info! On 01/11/2020 at 7:29 AM, thelivingdead531 said: Great post! I love fossil fish and this was very informative. That is quite a collection that I could only dream of having! Well you never know! I once thought some of the fishes here like the lamprey and bichir were impossible to get too 16 minutes ago, Mioplosus_Lover24 said: I love this! Though the comparison of Nematonotus longispinus to modern flagfish is more convergent evolution rather than a direct relation. Thanks. Nematonotus is a member of the Aulopidae family, the flagfins so they are directly related Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mioplosus_Lover24 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 30 minutes ago, -Andy- said: Thanks. Nematonotus is a member of the Aulopidae family, the flagfins so they are directly related Can you DM me how you learned this, I was not aware of Nematonotus having a lineage, in my books it says it has no living relatives. "Life is too complex for me to wrap my mind around, that's why I have fossils and not pets!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Andy- Posted November 2, 2020 Author Share Posted November 2, 2020 34 minutes ago, Mioplosus_Lover24 said: Can you DM me how you learned this, I was not aware of Nematonotus having a lineage, in my books it says it has no living relatives. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260338865_Goatley_et_al_2010_Paleobiology_supplemental_material https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematonotus http://fossilworks.org/?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=220157 Here you go 1 Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigantoraptor Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 This is an amazing collection. Very well presented and those pictures are extremely well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnlfc19 Posted November 2, 2020 Share Posted November 2, 2020 Some amazing fish...particularly fond of the gar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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