Large Triassic Fossil Fish Nodule from Madagascar


Encrinesomus dixoni

Phylum Chordata; Class Actinopterygii; Subclass Chondrostei; Order Polypteriformes; Family Bobastraniidae

Geological Time: Early Triassic (~240 m.y.a.)

Size: 106 mm long

Fossil Site: Ambilobe, Madagascar


This nodule is from the early Triassic of Madagascar and contains a very detailed fish known as Encrinesomus dixoni. Encrinesomus is thought to have been a still-water grazer on plants. Note the incredible detail preserved here, down to the rhombic scales and the finnage. Unlike most nodules, this one is a natural cast of the fish, displaying the left and right sides with remarkable fidelity. This is a fine example of a genus that went extinct during the upper Triassic.

click fossil images to enlarge


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