Please can you help me ID this fossil from Morocco

[Mark K]

I was given this fossil broken in 8 larger pieces and much dust. I put it back together, but have no clue what it is. I know its from Morocco and possibly the Kem Kem area.

Please can you help me identify it, its been bugging me.

Thank you

 

[GeschWhat]

Welcome to the forum! I believe you have a skull fragment. I'm guessing croc? Best wait for people who know more than I do. 

[Mark K]

Thanks Lori, I think you pointed me on the right track, lets see what other comments might be forth coming. Thanks Mark

[PaleoNoel]

While it may be crocodilian, it could also belong to the giant coelacanth Mawsonia or another fish as I've seen pictures of their skull bones and they are also rugose like a crocodilian.

Here's a picture I grabbed off of google images coming from a paper named "taxonomic and trophic structure of the continental bony fish assemblage from the early late cretaceous of southern morocco" from Plos One (Cavin et. al.).

This picture is referred to as Calamopleurus, an amiid (bowfin).

Here's a pic of a mawsonia skull from wikipedia

and another skull bone from the above mentioned paper

[caterpillar]

+1 for fish

[Mark K]

Thanks PaleoNoel, great information and pictures. I think its the top of the skull of Mawsonia. You've been a great help. Thanks

[PaleoNoel]

2 hours ago, Mark K said:

Thanks PaleoNoel, great information and pictures. I think its the top of the skull of Mawsonia. You've been a great help. Thanks

It's my pleasure to help.

Welcome to the forum!