Palaeoperca proxima
Class Actinoptergyii, Order Perciformes, Family Serranidae
Geological Time: Eocene (~47 Million Years Ago)
Size: (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fish Fossil is 45 mm in length on a 60 mm by 40 mm resin matrix
Fossil Site: Messel Pit, Darmstadt, Germany
Fossil Code: GF71
Price: Sold
 Description:
This is a fine example of a fingerling of a predatory perch from
the oil shale Messel Pit deposits of Darmstadt, Germany, known
as Palaeoperca proxima. This one is exceptionally small, and I
was able to secure it from the person who collected it in the field
many years ago. Specimens have typically been found ranging 17
cm to 22 cm in length with specimens as small as 14 cm being exceptionally
rare. As of the publication of Schaal and Ziegler’s book
in 1992 NO specimen less than 10 cm was known.. It is the only
species in its genus, and is differentiated from other perciforms
by having a double dorsal. They are currently believed to be most
closely allied with the freshwater basses. The Messel deposits
are famous for their exceptionally well-preserved organisms, some
of which have the remains of their last meal preserved within.
Soft tissue preservation is a common event in material from the
pit, and that is seen here in preservation of much of the specimen.
Due to this fragility of the oil shale, this specimen, like all
from the locality, has been embedded in resin to allow preparation.
The fossil is then flipped over and the matrix removed on the opposite
side. A final coating of resin serves to preserve the specimen
as seen here. |
