Lebanese Fish Fossil, Extremely Rare, 100 Million Year Old Rhinobatos Maronita

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Lebanese Fish Fossil, Extremely Rare, 100 Million Year Old Rhinobatos Maronita:
$1275.00

Rhinobatos maronita (found in Haqel)
CHONDRICHTHYES
Order: Rajiformes
Family: Rhinobatidae
Guitarfishes Genus: Rhinobatos maronita
Age: Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous, C4, 100 million years.
Locality : Hgula - Byblos - Lebanon
Geographical distribution: Middle East
Features: Rhinobatos maronita is the only long-nosed species of this genus.
It is characterized by its slender form and its fairly long, pointed nose,
by the weak lateral development of its pectoral fins cartilaginous rays, and
by its long, narrow pelvic fins. Although the thorn-like scales (body
scales) are broadly similar to those of other species, the dorsal ones,
above the pelvic fins, are slightly different in having a shape that is
wider than it is long. Embryos have been found in situ in specimens from
Haqil.
Recent relatives: morphologically close to some present day species, the
guitar rays fossils of Lebanon represent probably different kinds. Their
teeth particularly are much different from those of present day species.
The Genus Rhinobatos still exists in our seas, in the tropical and hot
temperate regions, and includes about 30 present day species.