GIANT EAGLE RAY MYLOBATIS MOUTHPLATE FOSSIL IN MATRIX FOSSIL FROM THE MIOCENE PLIOCENE PERIOD *RAYX001

Product Description

This is a rare fossil of HUGE fossil mouth crusher plate of a giant Eagle Ray, Mylobatis sp..  It is still embedded in the host matrix in which it was found, originally collected in the desert of western coastal South America, and acquired from an old German private collection years ago.  There is only a single fracture running through the well-preserved mouth plate.  Numerous other associated fossils can be found next to it including large fossil clams and a beautiful gastropod (sea snail) fossil.  Complete fossil mouth plates of prehistoric rays are highly uncommon and this is THE FIRST AND ONLY time we have seen such a specimen in the original matrix as found!  SINGLE REPAIR BUT NO FABRICATION OR RESTORATION. 

The eagle rays are a group of cartilaginous fishes in the family Myliobatidae, consisting mostly of large species living in the open ocean rather than on the sea bottom.  Eagle rays feed on mollusks and crustaceans, crushing their shells with their flattened teeth. Devil and manta rays filter plankton from the water. They are excellent swimmers and are able to breach the water up to several meters above the surface. Compared with other rays, they have long tails, and well-defined, rhomboidal bodies. They are ovoviviparous, giving birth to up to six young at a time. They range from 0.48 to 9.1 m (1.6 to 29.9 ft) in length.