Colobodus sp. cf. chorzowiensis
Middle Triassic, Lower Muschelkalk (anisian), Upper Silesia, Poland
A beautiful, complete ganoid scale, likely belonging to Colobodus chorzowiensis (yes, Von Meyer described this species based on specimens from Chorzów in Upper Silesia!). It’s the finest specimen I’ve found.
Fish equipped with this type of scales were covered in a complete, flexible “armor”. The process visible on the left side of the specimen connected to another scale. The scales were covered with ganoine (a substance similar to tooth enamel), hence the name. Formerly, the term “Ganoid Fish” was used; today it is only used colloquially.
Leave a Reply