1" Phytosaur Fossil Vertebrae Polished End Triassic Age Archosaur Redonda FM NM COA

Location: Redonda Formation, New Mexico (Private Land Origin) 

Weight: 0.3 Ounces 

Dimensions: 1 Inch Long, 0.7 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches Thick

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Late Triassic 242 To 199 Million Years Old

This vertebral specimen exemplifies the paleontological significance of Phytosaurs, an extinct archosaurian assemblage that dominated semi-aquatic ecosystems throughout the Upper Triassic. These formidable reptiles present a compelling case study in convergent evolution, their crocodile-like morphology and ecological role arising independently from true crocodilians, which did not assume comparable forms until the Lower Jurassic. Originally designated "plant reptiles" due to early taxonomic misinterpretation, phytosaurs were unequivocally carnivorous apex predators, their dentition and skeletal robustness attesting to their predatory prowess. Characterized by elongated snouts, extensive osteoderm plating, and impressive body dimensions of 3-8 meters, these archosaurs occupied a basal position within Crurotarsi phylogeny. Rutiodon, documented from Late Triassic formations across eastern North America, including New Mexico's Redonda Formation, represents a cornerstone genus within Phytosauridae. This polished vertebra, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, provides a tangible connection to these remarkable Mesozoic predators.