Jurassicz1 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 I got this fossil shark vertebra for free. It was filled with matrix on it so i prepped it. Its from the Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco near Khouribga. The location has fossils from the Cretaceous-Eocene. Does anyone know the species/genus or age of this shark vert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Unless it is found in association with teeth, it is nearly impossible to tell what kind of shark this is from. Vertebrae are not diagnostic to species, as far as I know. 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassicz1 Posted May 6, 2021 Author Share Posted May 6, 2021 44 minutes ago, Fossildude19 said: Unless it is found in association with teeth, it is nearly impossible to tell what kind of shark this is from. Vertebrae are not diagnostic to species, as far as I know. Alright thanks for the answer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkdoctor Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Shark vertebrae do have some characteristics that make them identifiable in some circumstances. See Brett Kent's amazing chapter in the Calvert Volume for more on this and other shark topics: https://scholarlypress.si.edu/store/life-sciences-biodiversity/geology-and-vertebrate-paleontology-calvert-cliffs/ The vertebra that you pictured here is from the family Lamnidae. Possibly from an otodus. It seems to be pathological from the photos you posted. Is it differing thicknesses around the rim? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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