Osteolepis macrolepidotus Fossil Fish 11.5″ Early Devonian Scotland Old Red Sandstone COA

Description

Osteolepis macrolepidotus Fossil Fish – Early Devonian, Sandwick Fish Bed, Cruaday Hill Quarry, Orkney

This exceptional 11.5-inch Osteolepis macrolepidotus fossil fish comes from the renowned Sandwick Fish Bed within the Mey Supergroup of the Old Red Sandstone, collected at Cruaday Hill Quarry near Quoyloo in Orkney, Scotland. This formation is one of the most celebrated fossil localities in the British Isles, producing beautifully preserved Early Devonian fish that document the evolutionary transition from early jawless vertebrates to some of the first jawed fishes. The fossil pictured is the exact specimen you will receive, selected with care for its clarity, detail, and scientific significance. As always, all our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Background – Old Red Sandstone and the Mey Supergroup

During the Early Devonian, around 410–400 million years ago, the region that is now Orkney formed part of a vast continental basin situated within the Old Red Sandstone continent of Laurussia. This environment featured extensive lake systems, river plains, and deltaic conditions. The Sandwick Fish Bed is one of the most famous deposits within this system, representing a lacustrine (lake) environment where sedimentation occurred gently enough to preserve delicate fish remains in exceptional detail.

The Mey Supergroup contains finely laminated siltstones and mudstones that accumulated in calm, oxygen-poor lake bottoms. Such low-oxygen settings reduced decay and scavenging, enabling superb preservation of fish fossils, including scales, fin rays, and cranial elements. Fossils from this unit provide crucial insight into the diversity and ecology of Devonian freshwater vertebrates.

Scientific Notes on Osteolepis macrolepidotus

Osteolepis macrolepidotus is a member of the class Sarcopterygii, the lobe-finned fishes—a group that ultimately gave rise to the earliest tetrapods. This species is particularly significant in vertebrate palaeontology due to its well-preserved skeletal features and its position within the evolutionary lineage leading toward land vertebrates.

Characteristic features of Osteolepis include:

• Large, rhomboid scales coated with cosmine, a hard, enamel-like tissue typical of early sarcopterygians.
• Well-developed pectoral and pelvic fins supported by internal skeletal structures, foreshadowing the limb bones of later tetrapods.
• A streamlined, torpedo-shaped body adapted for effective swimming in Devonian freshwater habitats.
• Distinct cranial ornamentation, with fine sculpturing that is often beautifully preserved in specimens from Orkney.

The genus Osteolepis is important to researchers because it exhibits transitional anatomical traits between primitive fish and early limbed vertebrates. Many foundational studies in British palaeontology have featured specimens from this region.

Depositional Environment – The Sandwick Fish Bed

The Sandwick Fish Bed represents a stable freshwater lake environment formed within a tectonically active basin. Periods of still water allowed fine sediments to settle in thin, even layers. When fish died, their remains sank to the lakebed where anoxic conditions prevented scavenging, preserving them as flattened but detailed impressions and mineralised remains.

This specimen’s preservation highlights the exceptional conditions of the bed: the body outline, scale patterning, and fin placement are clearly defined, offering both scientific value and visual appeal. Fossils from the Sandwick Fish Bed are prized for their historical importance and for the clarity with which they show early vertebrate anatomy.

A Remarkable Museum-Quality Display Fossil

At 11.5 inches, this Osteolepis macrolepidotus specimen is a substantial and visually striking example, suitable for collectors, educators, museums, and enthusiasts of vertebrate evolution. Its combination of geological provenance, scientific importance, and aesthetic appeal makes it a standout display piece.

Please refer to the photos for full sizing information. The fossil shown is the exact one you will receive, selected for its quality and well-defined features. Every fossil we offer is a 100% genuine specimen and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, providing complete assurance of authenticity and origin.