HYPHALOSAURUS LINGYUANENSIS FOSSIL PLAQUE
YIXIAN FORMATION, CHINA, LOWER CRETACEOUS PERIOD, C. 125 MILLION YEARS B.P.
African & Oceanic Art, Natural History and Ancient Art
Auction: 30 July 2025 from 14:00 BST
Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500
Description
a fine and large specimen preserved within a stone matrix
Dimensions
plate 42.5 x 15.5cm, fossil 38.2cm long
Footnote
Hyphalosaurus lingyuanensis is an extinct species of aquatic reptile from the Early Cretaceous period, discovered in the Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China. It belonged to the Choristodera, a group of semi-aquatic diapsid reptiles. Fossils of this species are exceptionally well-preserved, sometimes including soft tissues and even stomach contents. With its long neck and tail, Hyphalosaurus was likely a fish-eating predator adapted to life in freshwater environments.