#dapedium

Tableau des Animaux et des Végétaux Éxistans Avant le Déluge, Rédigé d'après Cuvier, Buckland, de Humboldt etc. par Perrot, Ingénr.-Geographe. Dessiné d'après les Végétaux et les Fossiles existants dans les divers Cabinets de l'Europe, a wall chart illustrating Antideluvian creatures by Aristide Michel Perrot (1844)

Key (spellings updated): 1. ‎Tree ferns 2. Reeds 3. Bamboo 4. Bladderwrack 5. Polyps 6. Crinoids 7. Trilobites 8. Productus 9. Spirifer 10. Turtles 11. Hemiptera 12. Coleoptera 13. Neuroptera 14. Scorpions 15. Squid 16. Palms 17. Lepidodendron 18. Latanier palms 19. Horsetails 20. Ammonites 21. Terebratula 22. Gryphaea 23. Amblypterus 24. Ophisurus 25. Platinx 26. Cestracion [now Heterodontus] 27. Dapedium 27. Megalosaurus 28. Plesiosaur 29. Ichthyosaur 30. Pterodactyl 31. Crocodiles 32. Iguanodon 33. Lobster 34. Sea Urchins 35. Heron 36. Stork 37. Ibis 38. Zamites and other genera of the Cycads family. 39. Turtles 40. Manatee 41. Whale 42. Dolphin 43. Cerites [?Cerithium] 44. Oysters 45. Belemnites 46. Nautilus 47. Limnaea 48. Planorbis 49. Sea urchins 50. Palaeotherium 51. Common Anoplotherium 52. Light Anoplotherium 53. Hippopotamus 54. [Missing?] 55. Tapir 56. Bear 57. Hyena 58. Tiger 59. Beaver 60. Squirrel 61. Hare 62. Water Rat 63. Owl 64. Thuyas 65. Araucaria Pines 66. Mastodon 67. Deinotherium 68. Mammoth 69. Megaloceros 70. Megatherium 71. Megalonyx 72. Wolf 73. Badger 74. Mole 75. Bat

Prehistoric Freshwater Cave - Veiled Sea

Endless Ocean Luminous, Nintendo Switch

Atop the Prehistoric Ruins - Veiled Sea

Endless Ocean Luminous, Nintendo Switch

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE Dapedium Fossil Fish – Museum Grade Posidonia Shale Specimen – Holzmaden, Germany – Jurassic Toarcian

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE MUSEUM-GRADE DAPEDIUM FOSSIL FISH

An extraordinary and museum-quality specimen of the extinct ray-finned fish Dapedium, this fossil originates from the iconic Posidonia Shale (Posidonienschiefer) of Holzmaden, Swabian Jura, Stuttgart, Germany. Dating back to the Toarcian Stage of the Lower Jurassic (Upper Lias) approximately 182 million years ago, this piece exemplifies the remarkable preservation that makes Holzmaden fossils world-famous.

Fossil Details:

Species: Dapedium sp.

Type: Fossilized ray-finned fish

Age: Lower Jurassic, Toarcian Stage (Upper Lias)

Formation: Posidonia Shale (Posidonienschiefer)

Location: Holzmaden, Swabian Jura, Stuttgart, Germany

Depositional Environment: Anoxic marine basin with fine-grained sediment, allowing exceptional skeletal and scale preservation

Morphological Features: Classic deep, diamond-shaped body with ganoid scales; paddle-like fins; articulated skeletal structure typical of Dapedium

Notable: Exceptional detail of scales and fin rays, highlighting the conservation lagerstätte quality of Holzmaden specimens

Scale Reference: Scale rule in photos with 1cm squares/cube for accurate sizing

Geological Context: The Posidonia Shale of Holzmaden is one of the most significant Jurassic fossil sites globally. The unique anoxic conditions of the marine basin during the Early Jurassic allowed unparalleled preservation of marine life. Dapedium is a key taxon from this deposit, representing an important part of Early Jurassic marine ecosystems.

Additional Information:

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Supplied with full mounting plates for optional wall hanging display.

The fossil pictured is the exact specimen you will receive.

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Semionotiformes

Superfamily: Semionotoidea

Family: Dapediidae

Genus: Dapedium

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE Dapedium Fossil Fish – Museum Grade Posidonia Shale Specimen – Holzmaden, Germany – Jurassic Toarcian

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE MUSEUM-GRADE DAPEDIUM FOSSIL FISH

An outstanding example of the extinct ray-finned fish Dapedium, this museum-grade fossil is from the world-famous Posidonia Shale (Posidonienschiefer) of Holzmaden, Swabian Jura, Stuttgart, Germany. Dated to the Toarcian Stage of the Lower Jurassic (Upper Lias), approximately 182 million years ago, this specimen is a prime example of the exceptional preservation for which this locality is renowned.

Fossil Details:

Species: Dapedium sp.

Type: Fossilized ray-finned fish

Age: Lower Jurassic, Toarcian Stage (Upper Lias)

Formation: Posidonia Shale (Posidonienschiefer)

Location: Holzmaden, Swabian Jura, Stuttgart, Germany

Depositional Environment: Anoxic marine basin responsible for exceptional preservation of skeletal details and in some cases soft tissues

Morphological Features: Distinct diamond-shaped body, ganoid scales, and paddle-like fins typical of Dapedium; excellent skeletal articulation

Notable: Fine detail preservation of scales and fin rays, characteristic of Holzmaden conservation lagerstätten

Scale: Scale rule visible in photos; 1cm squares/cube for precise sizing

Geological Context: The Posidonia Shale of Holzmaden is among the most important fossil sites globally, celebrated for its conservation of marine life during the Early Jurassic. The fine-grained, oxygen-depleted sedimentary environment enabled remarkable detail retention, making specimens such as Dapedium highly prized among collectors and institutions.

Additional Information:

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Full mounting plates included for optional wall hanging.

The photo shows the exact specimen you will receive; this is a carefully chosen individual piece.

Taxonomic Classification:

Order: Semionotiformes

Superfamily: Semionotoidea

Family: Dapediidae

Genus: Dapedium

The Dapedium (1822)

Phylum : Chordata Class : Osteichthyes Order : Semionotiformes Family : Dapediidae Genus : Dapedium Species : D. caelatum, D. noricum, D. pholidotum, D. politum, D. punctatum

Late Triassic/Early Jurassic (200 - 150 Ma)

40 cm long (size)

Lyme Regis, England (map)

The various species of Dapedium ranged from 9 to 40 centimetres long, and all had an oval to near-circular body. The skin was covered with thick, rhomboid, ganoid (enamel-like) scales. The smallest species so far found is D. noricum.

The skull was armoured with bony dermal plates, which were especially plentiful in the orbital region. These bones bore irregular tubercles. The small pectoral and pelvic fins, along with the extended dorsal and anal fins formed a functional unit with the tail. The tail was short and stout, providing the power for a sudden change in direction while the fish was swimming.

The upper jaw of Dapedium was moveable and could protrude from the mouth, enabling a wider gape to capture larger prey.