Fossil identification

[Zmcmill]

I found this tooth today at my usual spot at in Summerville SC and I found this tooth amongst the sharks teeth that was very strange to me. The most similar thing online I’ve seen to it is squalodon due to the wrinkly enamel, accessory cusps, and two roots. However, they seem to be extremely rare or nonexistent in this region. I would love to hear any thoughts or opinions on the ID of this tooth. Thank you on advance!

[PaleoNoel]

Maybe a tooth from a waipatiid dolphin, something like the recently named Ankylorhiza from that same formation. See what @Boesse thinks.

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

3 hours ago, Zmcmill said:

I found this tooth today at my usual spot at in Summerville SC

As @PaleoNoel stated this is a molar from a small (waipatiid) dolphin. But not the right size or shape for Ankylorhiza tiedemani, that was a much bigger fish .. so to speak. Dolphin teeth are pretty rare on any day from that area as well .. nice find !

 

For comparison, here is a set of molars from the Mace Brown museum in Charleston, SC from their Spear-Toothed dolphin.

Donated by Mark Havenstein

 

 

Cheers,

Brett

[Zmcmill]

Thanks so much! Very informative! Really appreciate it. I had not a clue what it was. 

[Brett Breakin' Rocks]

20 hours ago, Zmcmill said:

Thanks so much! Very informative! Really appreciate it. I had not a clue what it was. 

Sure, and here is a rough comparison of Genus-Y (Ankylorhiza tiedemani) tooth and the waipatiid example above. These are the small teeth that I typically ran into in the creeks. Note the fused root lobes for Ankylorhiza and the size.

 

 

Another reference for Ankylorhiza teeth from the Mace Brown museum.. FYI.