Jurassic, Solnhofen, Solnhofen Plattenkalk, Bavaria,
Germany
Dragonflies have been traced back to the Carboniferous. The
fact that they have changed so little since then, except in size,
testifies to the success of their design. Dragon fly fossils
are among the most beautiful and eagerly sought of the fossils
from Solnhofen.
Libellulium sp. a broad winged variety are almost
always fossilized with their wings fully spread. The wingspans
range from 10 - 13 cm. Stenophlebia has narrow wings stretched
towards the rear. The body length varies between 8 and 10 cm.
Some of the plates have black feathery pattern called dendrites
which are often mistaken for fossils. Dendrites are actually
mineral deposits that form in feathery crystalline patterns when
mineral rich water penetrates into narrow crevices and then evaporates,
leaving its minerals behind as crystals. Manganese causes black
coloring; iron creates a reddish-brown hue.
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