11.6" Crushing Mosasaur (Igdamanosaurus) Upper Jaw

Crushing Mosasaur (Igdamanosaurus) Upper Jaw #195790

This

is truly a sight to behold! It's an 11.6" long upper jaw (maxilla and pre-maxilla) section of a crushing mosasaur (Igdamanosaurus aegyptiacus, formerly Globidens) from the famous phosphate deposits in the Oulad Abdoun Basin of Morocco. The bone and tooth preservation is phenomenal, with relatively little crushing which is considered to be quite unusual from this site. Jaws of this species and quality are extremely rare, and are seldom seen on the market! In fact it may be the only non-composited one I've seen for sale myself.

Repairs include cracks through the bone where it was found separated within the rock, the right side of which required significant repair to the anterior end. Some of the teeth have undergone repair as well, with one tooth missing one half. The majority of the teeth have been untouched and are still situated in their natural positions within the maxilla. The jaw also features unerupted teeth that have been partially exposed.

While it sits nicely on a flat surface, it is accompanied by a metal/acrylic display stand to assist with preferred presentation.

Igdamanosaurus (formerly called Globidens) had semi-spherical, acorn-shaped teeth rather than the pointed teeth of most Mosasaurs. These rounded teeth were best suited for crushing tough armored prey like small turtles, ammonites, nautili, and bivalves.

It comes from the massive phosphate deposits in the Oulad Abdoun Basin near Khouribga, Morocco. These deposits are mined for phosphate, one of Morocco's biggest exports. The fossils are collected as a byproduct of the mining operations, saving them from certain destruction by the rock crusher.

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