Description
- Sawfish Rostral Spine
- Species: Onchosaurus maroccanus
- Age: Cretaceous, 66 Million Years Old
- Source: Morocco
- Size: Approx 50-60mm
- Quality will vary, one supplied, not exact one pictured.
This Rostral Spine is from the Sawfish Onchosaurus maroccanus, and was found in Morocco in an area of sedimentary deposits known as the Kem Kem Beds. Many fossils have been found in this area, predominantly of fish and their predators. The historical habitat of this area is estuarine and coastal which has lead to a huge abundance of fish diversity.
Onchosaurus is an extinct genus of Sclerorhynchoidei sawskate from the Cretaceous period 84 to 66 million years ago. Sclerorhynchoidei is a suborder of Skates (Rajiformes) that had a long nose, or rostrum, with serrated teeth on either side similar to sawfish; though this evolved convergently as they are not related. Sclerorhynchid sawskates are mostly known from section of vertebra and rostral spines. From their limited fossil record it has been deduced that they are bottom-dwelling fishes, most likely inhabiting shallow marine habitats. They were strong powerful swimmers which enabled them to catch their prey.
