Steneosaurus bollensis | Holzmaden, Germany
Steneosaurus bollensis
Jurassic, Lias Epsilon, 180 million years
Urweltsteinbruch Holzmaden quarry, Holzmaden, Germany
Size: H10o cm W100 cm D5 cm / H39.37 in W39.37 in D1.97 in
DESCRIPTION
Steneosaurus bollensis is a classic marine crocodile from the Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale of Holzmaden, southern Germany. Preserved within the famous Lias Epsilon deposits, this specimen dates to approximately 180 million
years ago, a time when warm, shallow seas covered much of Europe. The
specimen showcases a nearly complete skeleton, including a skull (sourced from another individual) that complements the postcranial remains with anatomical accuracy.
Steneosaurus bollensis was a large, piscivorous marine reptile adapted to a life in shallow epicontinental seas. Characterized by an elongated body and streamlined skull with interlocking conical teeth, it was a fast-swimming
predator that thrived in the Jurassic Tethyan margins. Of particular scientific interest is the enrolled body posture, a taphonomic feature often linked to decay-related muscle contraction or post-mortem displacement in anoxic
seabed environments. This preservation style offers valuable insights into the decomposition processes and burial dynamics of marine vertebrates in Jurassic
ecosystems.
While the skull and body derive from different specimens, their integration has been meticulously executed, respecting taxonomic and stratigraphic integrity.
Such composite reconstructions are occasionally employed to restore display completeness while maintaining scientific rigor.
Due to the size of this specimen, it will be shipped in an internationally compliant wooden crate.
Shipping costs will be calculated and billed after purchase. Please contact us if you need a specific shipping rate prior to purchase. You may opt in for in-store pickup to cut your shipping costs all together and pick up your specimen in person. You can pick up from our store location in Kemmerer, Wyoming, or we deliver to both the Denver Gem & Mineral show in the Fall and the Tucson Gem & Mineral show in the winter. For any questions, please don't hesitate to call us directly.
DOCUMENTATION:
For further scientific reference:
• Johnson, Michela & Young, Mark & Brusatte, Stephen. (2020).
Emptying the wastebasket: a historical and taxonomic revision of the Jurassic crocodylomorph Steneosaurus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 189. 428-448. 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa027.