Bothriolepsis
These fossils are from Miguaha, Quebec, Canada which is now a closed site and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These specimens were legally acquired and left Canada with all the proper permits and paperwork.
These fossils are from Miguaha, Quebec, Canada which is now a closed site and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These specimens were legally acquired and left Canada with all the proper permits and paperwork.
Bothriolepis comes from the shales and sandstones of the Escuminac Formation (Late Devonian, 380 Ma) on the south shore of the Gaspé Peninsula at Miguasha. Abraham Gesner (1797-1864), the provincial geologist of New Brunswick who discovered the site in 1842, referred to this fossil as "a small species of tortoise with foot-marks". The polygonal plates are, indeed, reminiscent of the scutes of a turtle carapace. A well-preserved specimen looks like a finely embossed jewelry box.
Bothriolepis is a placoderm with a heavily armoured head fused with the thoracic shield. Instead of typical fish-like pectoral fins, it bears a pair of rigid arms that are joined at two points -- one where the arm leaves the trunk and one a little more than half way along. These arms, like the limbs of an arthropod, are articulated by interior muscles. Bothriolepis does have a slender fish-like tail that extends behind the heavily armoured portion but, because it is almost naked with few scales, it is rarely preserved. There are two openings through its solidly armoured head -- a keyhole opening along the midline on the upper side for the eyes and nostrils and a mouth on the lower side near the front. It has a peculiar spiral, sediment-filled gut and it appears to have been a mud grubber. Well-preserved specimens reveal the presence of gills in addition to a pair of pouches off the esophagus that may have functioned as lungs. This dorsally compressed fish might have walked on its peculiar arms -- in the shallow brackish water and possibly onto the land.
Last Modified 08/27/2008
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(Click Photo to Enlarge)
Name: Bothriolepis canadensis
Geologic Age: Devonian
Location: Escumiac Bay, Miguasha, Quebec, Canada
Description: This specimen measures 5 3/8" long x 4 1/4" wide. Both fins are present. This specimen was LEGALLY EXPORTED out of Canada and will come with a Certificate of Authenticity B28298 that has been registered with the Canadian Government. Most specimens that have been on the market have been smuggled out of Canada illegally. Overall this is a nicely inflated specimen with very good details.Bothriolepis 2 - Price $1750.00