Phytosaur Tooth Fossil Triassic Redonda Formation New Mexico USA Genuine Specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

Overview – Genuine Phytosaur Tooth from the Redonda Formation

This listing is for a 100% genuine Phytosaur tooth fossil originating from the Redonda Formation, New Mexico, USA. Phytosaurs were large, semi-aquatic predators that lived during the Late Triassic, and their teeth are highly prized by collectors due to their rarity, scientific value, and distinctive morphology. The photographs show a representative example of the specimen quality you will receive, selected carefully for preservation, detail, and display appeal. Every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, and a 1 cm scale cube is shown in the images for accurate size comparison.

The Phytosaur – A Triassic Apex Predator

Phytosaurs were crocodile-like reptiles belonging to the order Phytosauria, a group that dominated Late Triassic freshwater ecosystems long before true crocodilians evolved. Despite their visual similarity to crocodiles, phytosaurs were not closely related and represent a remarkable example of convergent evolution. They possessed elongated jaws filled with sharp, conical teeth ideal for grasping fish, amphibians, and smaller reptiles. Their nostrils were positioned high on the head near the eyes, rather than at the snout tip, indicating a unique adaptation to their aquatic lifestyle.

Finding well-preserved teeth from these ancient predators is significant, as they offer important insights into the feeding behaviour, growth, and ecological role of phytosaurs within Triassic ecosystems.

Geological Context – Late Triassic Redonda Formation

The Redonda Formation dates to the Late Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian), approximately 208–201 million years ago, and is part of the extensive Chinle Group of the American Southwest. This formation preserves sediments from a landscape once dominated by rivers, lakes, mudflats, and monsoonal floodplains. The warm, seasonally wet climate supported diverse fauna including early dinosaurs, amphibians, aetosaurs, and the formidable phytosaurs that occupied the upper levels of the food chain.

The fine-grained mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones of the Redonda Formation created ideal conditions for fossilisation. Teeth, being the most durable part of a reptile’s anatomy, frequently survived transport and burial, becoming mineralised through natural geological processes.

Morphology and Diagnostic Features

Your specimen showcases the classic characteristics of a Phytosaur tooth, including:
• Conical shape – perfect for gripping slippery prey.
• Longitudinal ridges – providing extra strength and assisting with puncture efficiency.
• Tapered tip – adapted for piercing rather than slicing.
• Dark brown to enamel-black colouration – resulting from mineral replacement over millions of years.
• Smooth enamel surfaces with occasional natural wear from feeding.

Some phytosaur teeth also show subtle curvature, which helped anchor them within the jaw and withstand the stresses of capturing actively moving prey.

Depositional Environment and Preservation

The Redonda Formation’s ancient river systems frequently transported skeletal material before final burial. As sediments accumulated, permineralisation gradually replaced organic components with minerals such as calcite, hematite, and silica, preserving the fine enamel detail of the tooth. The resulting fossil captures both the resilience of Triassic life and the geological forces that shaped the American Southwest.

Scientific and Collector Significance

Phytosaur teeth are highly sought after due to their rarity and the important role these reptiles played in Late Triassic ecosystems. As apex predators, phytosaurs help researchers understand food webs, environmental pressures, and evolutionary patterns leading toward later reptilian lineages. For collectors, these fossils offer a tangible connection to a world that existed over 200 million years before the rise of modern crocodiles or mammals.

With each specimen being unique in shape, colour, and enamel preservation, these teeth make exceptional display pieces for fossil enthusiasts, educators, and natural history collectors.

Product Details

• Fossil Type: Phytosaur Tooth
• Formation: Redonda Formation
• Geological Age: Late Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian)
• Origin: New Mexico, USA
• Authenticity: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity
• Photograph: Shows an example of the specimen quality you will receive
• Scale cube: 1 cm – see photos for full sizing

This Triassic Phytosaur tooth is a scientifically meaningful, visually striking fossil representing one of the era’s most powerful predators. Perfect for display, study, or collection.