SilesianTriassic

Eosauropterygia indet. cf. Nothosaurus

Middle Triassic, Lower Muschelkalk (Anisian), Gogolin Beds

The specimen represents an isolated neural arch referable to an indeterminate eosauropterygian. The specimen is visible from the dorsal side while the ventral side is still embedded in the matrix. The measured length is approximately 23 mm and the width is approximately 27 mm.

The arch is particularly interesting taphonomically. It is clearly crushed dorsoventrally, appearing as if it had collapsed in on itself. The neural spine is missing, and the resulting depression reveals sediment rather than cancellous bone tissue. The surface of the arch is clearly sunken on the left side, while a distinct defect is visible on the right. The postzygapophyses are well preserved. The surfaces of the prezygapophyses are not horizontal but clearly inclined towards the axis of symmetry of the neural arch.

The continuity and smoothness of the surrounding matrix suggest that the damage visible on the bone surface may have occurred before complete fossilization and is not the result of recent erosion. The base of the neural spine, filled with matrix, may also support this interpretation. However, like most of my specimens, this is a surface find, so this possibility cannot be completely ruled out.