Troodon Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 There are a lot of submissions to identify dinosaur material and a good number do not have enough information or its the wrong type of to assist in identification. Some posts are great. So I've prepared this in what I'm looking for to help in this process. What is needed: An accurate provenance is the most important item required to obtain an ID. 1) USA & Canada Formation State or Province County or Nearest Town (a MUST) 2) Other localities Country Formation Nearest Town, Area 3) On Jurassic Theropod teeth I need measurements and serration density shown in the illustration (CH, CBL, CBW and Density). With Cretaceous teeth just need Crown Height - measured from the distal base to tip. If more is required I will ask. For herbivores All I need is CH. 4) Photos Tim @Fossildude19 always post this image to get the best overall photos. Additional requriements: Photos need to be sharp and HD. Out of focus images are useless Avoid holding anything, use some support like the putty (what I use - Fun-Tak) or plastic holders. Tak is just a temporary support not good long term and don't press hard No HANDS I do not want to see fingers in any photos. Your hands shake and fingers hide some of the specimen. There are a few exceptions when photographing the base of the tooth or articulation surface of a claw. No OBTUSE photos unless asked for. All straight in shots On Theropod Teeth these are examples of the ONLY 4 photos needed to start. With herbivore teeth I just need one image of both sides. Both Sides Base Mesial Carina May require an angle view to see distal characteristics like texture, undulations, blood grooves BUT not needed at first. I may require a close up of the serrations to see the shape of the denticles. If you plan to be a long term collector I do recommend purchasing a Digital USB microscope. They are relatively inexpensive and go a long way to help in identification. Otherwise sharp HD closeup photos would be needed. Not needed initially. For Claws I just need 5 photos, straight in shots, no obtuse angles. Length measurement Examples of all sides needed and measurement (red line) - I use putty under the claw to make it square to the camera lens Reminder just because all the information is provided it does not guarantee an ID especially from material outside of the US and Canada. 13 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Fossildude19 Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Pinned! Thanks for doing this, Frank. Hopefully, it will streamline the ID process for these items. 1 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites
CEP Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 Great information. Is there a chart that can help determine the tooth on our own or is there too many variables and requires an expert to identify? Link to post Share on other sites
Troodon Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 3 hours ago, CEP said: Great information. Is there a chart that can help determine the tooth on our own or is there too many variables and requires an expert to identify? Not really, it can get quite difficult on some isolated teeth outside North America. I've created a number of topics that can help a bit, see attached Link to post Share on other sites
rocket Posted February 1 Share Posted February 1 very very helpful, thanks, Frank, for doing this. We often think about how to measure tooth and claws correctly and did it nearly the same way. Not 100%, place to measure the denticles was different, but we will use now your suggestion! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
GTS Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 Great info, thankyou 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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