Description

Prognathodon 25 Tooth Jaw Section – 100% Authentic:  Non-composit: < 1% Restored

Fondly named Mr. Toothalot

This exceptional jaw section is comprised of both dentary bones in the lower jaw of a large mosasaurus called Prognathodon. The specimen is well preserved and extremely stable. Reinforced internally with 4 metal rods to stand vertical for maximum visual appeal, the 3-dimensional perspective shows both buccal and lacrimal aspects of the jaw sections in the dietary bones of the distal snout.

Oblique transverse post depositional pressure dislodged the dentary fusion at the tip of the snout positioning the bones in a spectacular display of mosasaurus anatomy. Serrations on in-situ teeth, nutrient and neural canals as well as soft tissue attachment structures are presented.

25 well preserved primary and successional teeth are present in-situ within the dentary canals of the dentary bones.  Two complete teeth, fractured mid-section, indicate postmortem ejection and are preserved laying parallel to the dorsal aspect of the dentary bones. Two partially disarticulated mosasaur teeth of unclear affinity are present on the back.

The largest tooth is more than 5 ½“ from dentine nutrient stem to the tip.  The jaw of this monster was about 54 inches from snout tip to the pterygoid bone in the pallet. It could capture very large prey with its huge and powerful jaws then swallow it whole without chewing.

The specimen has been fully curated and reinforced with metal rods stabilized from the inside out with cyanoacrylate cement. The base is reinforced with an aluminum keel for maximum stability. Two rods more than 14” in length are threaded down from the tip of the dentary and two rods more than 11” up from the base.

Fossil Dimensions: 25 1/2 “ tip to base, 16” transverse at the base.  Base Dimensions:  24” x 14”

Serious Inquiries Only: John M. Arnold, 307-680-2576. Nature Source Fossil Company, Gillette Wyoming