Gaudryella Fossil Fish Cenomanian Upper Cretaceous Hjoula Quarry Lebanon

Description

Gaudryella Fossil Fish – Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous, Hjoula Quarry, Lebanon

This exceptional Gaudryella Fossil Fish is a genuine and 100% natural specimen from the legendary Hjoula Quarry, located in the Keserwan–Jbeil Governorate of Lebanon. It dates back to the Cenomanian Stage of the Upper Cretaceous Period, approximately 98 to 95 million years ago. This rare fossil showcases the beauty and anatomical detail of an ancient marine predator from the warm, tropical seas of the Tethys Ocean, perfectly preserved within fine-grained limestone.

Every fossil offered is authentic, untreated, and naturally preserved, supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity verifying its age, origin, and identification. The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact piece you will receive, chosen for its completeness and exquisite detail.

Geological and Stratigraphic Context

The Hjoula Formation, part of the Cenomanian Fish Beds, represents one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world. Formed during the Upper Cretaceous, these limestones were deposited in the calm, shallow waters of the Tethys Ocean, which once covered much of the Middle East.

The environment of deposition was anoxic—devoid of oxygen—on the seafloor. This prevented scavenging and bacterial decay, allowing entire fish and crustacean skeletons to be preserved with astonishing precision. Fine carbonate sediments settled gently over the organisms, eventually lithifying into dense limestone that captured every anatomical feature in perfect detail.

These Konservat-Lagerstätten deposits are globally renowned for their extraordinary preservation, often preserving even delicate structures such as fin rays, scales, and soft tissues. The Hjoula and Hakel quarries are recognised as among the finest fossil sites in the world, contributing immensely to scientific knowledge of Cretaceous marine ecosystems.

Taxonomy and Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ray-Finned Fish (Actinopterygii)
• Scientific Name: Gaudryella sp.
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Actinopterygii
• Order: Crossognathiformes
• Family: Crossognathidae
• Genus: Gaudryella
• Geological Stage: Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous)
• Formation: Hjoula Fish Beds
• Locality: Hjoula Quarry, Keserwan–Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon

The genus Gaudryella represents a group of extinct teleost fishes that lived during the Late Cretaceous, known for their streamlined bodies and highly developed fin structures. These fishes are closely related to early predatory lineages that would give rise to many modern teleost forms, making them of particular interest to paleontologists studying the evolution of bony fish.

Morphological and Anatomical Features

This beautifully preserved Gaudryella Fossil Fish displays all the hallmark traits of the genus, showing remarkable detail and anatomical integrity. Key features observable in this specimen include:

• Streamlined, elongated body ideal for rapid movement through the open sea.
• Well-defined vertebral column, running from skull to caudal fin, often with individual vertebrae visible.
• Distinct cranial and jaw structure, reflecting its predatory lifestyle.
• Fin rays and skeletal elements preserved in fine relief, often with delicate textures and spacing visible.
• Scales and lateral line impressions, occasionally discernible under magnification, demonstrating natural symmetry and form.
• Tail fin (caudal region) indicative of strong swimming adaptations for pursuit and ambush.

Gaudryella is believed to have been a fast-moving carnivorous fish, preying upon smaller marine species in the shallow, sunlit waters of the Cretaceous seas. Its sleek build, powerful tail, and advanced jaw mechanics are characteristic of an active predator perfectly adapted to its ecological niche.

Depositional Environment and Paleobiology

During the Cenomanian Stage, the region now known as Lebanon was submerged beneath the Tethys Ocean, a vast equatorial sea that connected what is now the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. The Hjoula Basin was a quiet lagoonal environment within this marine system, where sedimentation was extremely fine and continuous.

The micritic limestones of Hjoula record a remarkable biodiversity of marine life, including fish, crabs, shrimps, cephalopods, and marine reptiles. The conditions of low oxygen on the seafloor and fine, calcareous sedimentation created one of the most famous fossil deposits in the world.

This particular specimen of Gaudryella would have lived in these tropical seas during a time of high global temperatures and widespread marine transgression. When it died, it settled gently on the seabed, undisturbed by currents or scavengers. Layers of lime-rich mud then encapsulated its remains, preserving it in fine detail for nearly 100 million years.

Scientific and Collectible Importance

The Gaudryella Fossil Fish is both scientifically valuable and visually striking, offering a glimpse into the complex ecosystems of the Cretaceous seas. Specimens like this are crucial for understanding the evolution of teleost fishes—the most diverse vertebrate group alive today—and the paleoenvironmental conditions of the Tethys Ocean.

Collectors value fossils from the Hjoula Fish Beds not only for their rarity and completeness but also for their aesthetic beauty. The pale limestone matrix contrasts beautifully with the darker fossilised skeleton, creating a natural work of art formed entirely by geological processes.

Each specimen comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming it as a 100% genuine Cenomanian fossil from the Hjoula Quarry, Lebanon. This remarkable Gaudryella Fossil Fish is an exquisite example of natural history, encapsulating both the scientific wonder and timeless beauty of life preserved in stone.