This listing features a rare and scientifically significant fossil fish, Osteolepis panderi, from the Devonian period (~380 million years old), found in the Old Red Sandstone deposits of Thurso, UK. This exceptional specimen belongs to a group of early lobe-finned fish (Sarcopterygians), the evolutionary ancestors of modern tetrapods, including amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
The Old Red Sandstone of Scotland is world-famous for preserving some of the earliest known vertebrate fossils, making this specimen an important piece for collectors and researchers alike. Osteolepis panderi was a streamlined predator with armored scales, powerful jaws, and paired lobed fins, characteristics that hint at the transition from fish to land-dwelling vertebrates.
✔ Rare fossil fish from the Devonian period
✔ An important species in vertebrate evolution
✔ Well-preserved details, including scales and fin impressions
✔ From the famous Old Red Sandstone deposits of Scotland
All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The specimen shown in the photos is the exact fossil you will receive.
Osteolepis panderi was a sarcopterygian (lobe-finned fish), a key evolutionary link between aquatic and terrestrial life. Its robust lobed fins contained early structures that would later evolve into the limbs of the first amphibians. Fossils of Osteolepis provide crucial evidence for the transition from fish to land-dwelling vertebrates.
The Devonian period, often called the "Age of Fishes", was a pivotal time in Earth’s history, when the first tetrapods were beginning to emerge. The Old Red Sandstone is one of the most important fossil-bearing formations of this era, preserving a wealth of information about early vertebrate evolution.
This Osteolepis panderi fossil comes from the Alice Purnell Collection, one of the largest and most respected fossil collections in the world. We specialise in high-quality, museum-grade fossils, ensuring this specimen is an excellent addition to any collection, educational display, or investment in prehistoric history.
A fascinating glimpse into the origins of terrestrial life—own a genuine Devonian-era fossil fish today!