CRETACEOUS CRYPTODIRE FOSSIL PLATE REPRODUCTION
Stunningly crafted Manchurochelys liaoxiensis turtle on genuine matrix
130 Million year old specimen reproduction
Manchurochelys liaoxiensis, also known as Ordosemys liaoxiensis, is described as a cryptodire (a turtle order) with a very low domed shell. It is an extinct genus of turtle in the order Paracryptodira.
It existed during the early Cretaceous of what is now northeast China. The species was discovered in the Jianshangou Bed of West Liaoning's Yixian Formation.
The carapace or outer shell had an oval outline, with the length being slightly longer than the width. Manchurochelys liaoxiensis looked like a modern turtle, but it was a primitive turtle and could not draw its head or legs into its shell. It likely fed on plants, small fish, and insects present in its environment. Manchurochelys liaoxiensis is most closely related to today's snapping turtle.
The Liaoning region, 130 million years ago, was an area crossed by streams and rivers and dotted with fresh water lakes and active volcanoes. The land areas were covered by forests of conifers, similar to today's pine and fir, ginkgoes and ferns. There were very few angiosperms or flowering plants. Marshy areas surrounded the lakes. Based on the plants represented in the fossil record of the area, it suggests that the area around Liaoning was a semiarid environment with a warm but dry climate.
This a a very well defined and excellently crafted piece on genuine matrix from the cretaceous period, approximately 130 million years old.
The matrix was most likely formed in the sedimentary layers of a lake or marshy area and the many fine layers can clearly be seen.
On the reverse side of the plate one can see a fragment of a genuine fossil of what looks like part of a fish's fin.
Total size of plate - approximately 40cm x 20cm x 1cm thick
Size of turtle - 28cm x 16cm
Turtle fossils are among the scarcest of small fossils and highly sought after by collectors.
This reproduction plate will make a stunning display, whether in a comprehensive collection or as a centre piece on a wall and in many regards is even better than the real thing.
It can really be described as a piece of art - Earth's ancient art - with a story to tell far superior to that of any modern artwork or artist.
Please have a look at the detailed images to verify condition etc.
I will gladly answer any questions to the best of my ability.
PLEASE ASK ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING.