This is the "Fossil Friday" post #146. Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website. We will post any fossil pictures you send in to [email protected]. Please include a short description or story. Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!
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As stated back in Mazon Monday #141, Kottixerxes gloriosus is a very rare animal... maybe the rarest. An article in the "Richardson's Guide to the Fossil Fauna of Mazon Creek" found only two specimens out of a sample of 229,979 concretions. K. gloriosus was described in Frederick Schram in 1971. It is named for A. W. Kott, who donated the holotype to the Field Museum.
Today, we have photos of one of the best specimens in Jack Wittry's "The Fossil Fauna of Mazon Creek". These beautiful photos were sent in by ESCONI member and Rob Coleman. At a little over 7 cm, it's the largest ever found. Thanks for sharing this glorious specimen, Rob!
