Reptile - Globidens phosphaticus
SKU:
ITEM# REPTILE-Morocco-0003
$250.00
$250.00
Upper Cretaceous (80 mya)
Oued Zem, Khouribga, Morocco
ITEM# REPTILE-Morocco-0003
This is a beautiful example of a jaw from the lizard Globidens phosphaticus, from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco. Globidens phosphaticus is a member of the Order Squamata, Family Mosasauridae.
Globidens ("Globe teeth") is an extinct genus of mosasaur lizard. Globidens was approximately 6 meters (20 feet) in length and in appearance very much like other mosasaurs (streamlined body with flippers, a laterally flattened tail and powerful jaws). The teeth of Globidens were vastly different from other mosasaurs, as they were globular, as suggested in its generic name. Generally, most mosasaurs had sharp teeth evolved to grab soft, slippery prey like fish and squid, which, in later species, were later modified to rend flesh, as well. While many other mosasaurs were capable of crushing the shells of ammonites, none were as specialized in dealing with armored prey like Globidens.
Globidens, unlike most other mosasaurs, had semi-spherical teeth with rounded nubbin-like points, which were much better suited for crushing tough armored prey like small turtles, ammonites, nautili, and bivalves. Like its larger relative, Mosasaurus, Globidens had a robustly built skull with tightly-articulating jaws. Such features no doubt played a large role in its ability to penetrate the armor of its shelled prey.
This nicely preserved jaw including excellent teeth measures approximately inches long. Individual teeth measure approximately inches in diameter.
Oued Zem, Khouribga, Morocco
ITEM# REPTILE-Morocco-0003
This is a beautiful example of a jaw from the lizard Globidens phosphaticus, from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco. Globidens phosphaticus is a member of the Order Squamata, Family Mosasauridae.
Globidens ("Globe teeth") is an extinct genus of mosasaur lizard. Globidens was approximately 6 meters (20 feet) in length and in appearance very much like other mosasaurs (streamlined body with flippers, a laterally flattened tail and powerful jaws). The teeth of Globidens were vastly different from other mosasaurs, as they were globular, as suggested in its generic name. Generally, most mosasaurs had sharp teeth evolved to grab soft, slippery prey like fish and squid, which, in later species, were later modified to rend flesh, as well. While many other mosasaurs were capable of crushing the shells of ammonites, none were as specialized in dealing with armored prey like Globidens.
Globidens, unlike most other mosasaurs, had semi-spherical teeth with rounded nubbin-like points, which were much better suited for crushing tough armored prey like small turtles, ammonites, nautili, and bivalves. Like its larger relative, Mosasaurus, Globidens had a robustly built skull with tightly-articulating jaws. Such features no doubt played a large role in its ability to penetrate the armor of its shelled prey.
This nicely preserved jaw including excellent teeth measures approximately inches long. Individual teeth measure approximately inches in diameter.