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I've been searching through lots of different North Texas micro matrix for a project and came across a little tooth that has me stumped. It's from the Duck Creek Fm (Albian), Washita Group. From the same matrix I've collected several Scyliorhinus arlingtonensis (this species is previously known from the Texas Pawpaw and Woodbine), which look similar in some aspects. However, there are distinctions that push to me wonder if this other tooth is something different. Here are some photos of the mystery tooth. I found another of the same species in worse condition as well. Mystery tooth For comparison, here is a photo of a solid Scyliorhinus arlingtonensis of which I have found several from the same matrix. Scyliorhinus arlingtonensis Why it could be Scyliorhinus arlingtonensis: I know cat sharks can exhibit a high degree of heterodonty, so that could be the culprit. Both sets of teeth have ridges on the basal portion of the labial face, as well as multiple pairs of cusplets. Both also have very flat basal root faces that flare out at the lateral ends underneath the cusplets. Why it could be something else: Only S. arlingtonensis appears to have ridging on the lingual face, and the ridging reaches quite close to the tip. On the mystery tooth, I don't see any such ridging on the lingual side. The roots vary as well. S. arlingtonensis has a root that more closely resembles a "mickey mouse head". The lateral portions of the root flare out more, like mickey's ears and the bulbous lingual apex like mickey's face. The mystery tooth, on the other hand, is more v-shaped and the lingual apex of the root nowhere near as bulbous. Furthermore, S. arlingtonensis has a strongly pronounced central foramen (the little hole at the end of the lingual apex). I don't see this feature in mystery tooth. In S. arlingtonensis, the central is cusp long, gracile, and more separated from the adjacent cusplets. The mystery tooth has a robust central cusp and is joined with the cusplets much farther up. The second pair of lateral cusplets are also much larger. I have had a tough time trying to find species online that match my specimen in every aspect. It most definitely looks closest to cat shark, but everything I've come across just misses the mark. One interesting genus was Pseudoscyliorhinus, which has large pairs of secondary lateral cusplets like mine, but again there are some major differences in things like root shape. Hopefully one of you all have some ideas or at least new leads for this case. @Al Dente @siteseer @MikaelS @MarcoSr @ThePhysicist Feel free to tag anyone I missed Thanks for reading

Went hunting at a few creeks today in the Summerville/Ladson areas. I don't know how I managed to see this tooth (just surface hunting, no sifting). In trying to Google what it might be, I came across some posts on cat shark teeth. Can someone please tell me if that is what this is? Thank you!

I was very fortunate to obtain some loose matrix and chunks of matrix that I need to break down. I really have only been working on the loose matrix so far. It has not m.uch but has been extremely productive with amazing teeth. This is the first time I have gone through matrix from this area and the colors are amazing. The matrix is absolutely loaded with so much great stuff. Most of the items I have found so far are firsts for me. Enjoy the pics! @JBMugu I have barely scratched the survive with the big chucks of matrix but these two verts came out of it. They cleaned up nice! My first whale vert 1.5 inches. .75 inch shark vert Cow Shark Angel Shark Dog Shark

That little vial of micros from the Mesaverde formation is the gift that keeps on giving. I dissolved some of small bits of matrix in vinegar. Still no batoid teeth but a couple of shark teeth did emerge. Mesaverde Formation, Rollins Member Colorado The first is a candidate for the smallest shark tooth in my collection. At most it is 1mm and I think it is another possible Cat Shark tooth. Quite similar to some NJ teeth I found on line. I am open to other possibilities as far as an ID goes. Regardless, it is one very cool looking micro tooth