HoppeHunting Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 This tooth was found along the base of the Calvert Cliffs in Maryland during one of my trips to Brownie's Beach. It made the Hop 5 of that trip because it's a decent size and cool-looking tooth, but now I've run into a problem. Of the few species of Mako shark found in the Cliffs, I don't know which one this is. I had it classified as an Isurus desori tooth in the Hop 5, but I'm beginning to reconsider that identification. After studying descriptions and pictures of specimen from both Cosmopolitodus hastalis and Isurus desori (supposedly the two most common Mako species in the area), I can't make a confident verdict. The tooth has a slant height of slightly over an inch, a thick root center, and broad crown with a smooth and defined cutting edge. It's size isn't much of a help because as far as I understand, C. hastalis is larger than I. desori but this tooth is right in between the average for the two species. It really could be either, but I'm sure there's got to be a good way to tell them apart that I'm just not aware of. The two sharks are really quite different after all. Although we hunters call them "Makos", C. hastalis was truly a Giant White Shark. Anyway, I'd love some help on this one. I'll attach a few pictures, including one with a scale, as well as the ones I posted in my Brownie's Beach trip report from 12/26/17. Thanks! The Hunt for the Hemipristine continues! ~Hoppe hunting!~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 This tooth is a Mako lower tooth. But again which species is hard to tell. To bad the tip is broken. Still a nice find. I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted February 17, 2018 Share Posted February 17, 2018 Can you show us a side view of this tooth? Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 2 hours ago, HoppeFossilHunting said: This tooth was found along the base of the Calvert Cliffs in Maryland during one of my trips to Brownie's Beach. It made the Hop 5 of that trip because it's a decent size and cool-looking tooth, but now I've run into a problem. Of the few species of Mako shark found in the Cliffs, I don't know which one this is. I had it classified as an Isurus desori tooth in the Hop 5, but I'm beginning to reconsider that identification. After studying descriptions and pictures of specimen from both Cosmopolitodus hastalis and Isurus desori (supposedly the two most common Mako species in the area), I can't make a confident verdict. The tooth has a slant height of slightly over an inch, a thick root center, and broad crown with a smooth and defined cutting edge. It's size isn't much of a help because as far as I understand, C. hastalis is larger than I. desori but this tooth is right in between the average for the two species. It really could be either, but I'm sure there's got to be a good way to tell them apart that I'm just not aware of. The two sharks are really quite different after all. Although we hunters call them "Makos", C. hastalis was truly a Giant White Shark. Anyway, I'd love some help on this one. I'll attach a few pictures, including one with a scale, as well as the ones I posted in my Brownie's Beach trip report from 12/26/17. Thanks! Lower mako. Tip ding is unfortunate, but still a pretty awesome tooth! Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 4 minutes ago, MeargleSchmeargl said: Lower mako. Tip ding is unfortunate, but still a pretty awesome tooth! The op is looking to know which "mako". Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeargleSchmeargl Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 3 minutes ago, ynot said: The op is looking to know which "mako". Whoops. That's what I get when I don't read! Every single fossil you see is a miracle set in stone, and should be treated as such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gizmo Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 http://www.elasmo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Looks like a desori to me, just gut feel. “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 I think it is very hard to determine species on the lower "mako" teeth, they all look the same. Darwin said: " Man sprang from monkeys." Will Rogers said: " Some of them didn't spring far enough." My Fossil collection - My Mineral collection My favorite thread on TFF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darktooth Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 2 hours ago, ynot said: I think it is very hard to determine species on the lower "mako" teeth, they all look the same. I thought so to but was hesitant to say it. I like Trilo-butts and I cannot lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSRhunter Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Hmm I'd lean towards lower Hastalis just because the crown is thicker so close to the tip much more so than a desori imo which would narrow quite drastically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoSr Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Based upon the root shape and more rounded root lobes and the relatively narrow crown width with not a lot of crown taper by the root the specimen looks like a lower I. desori to me. Marco Sr. "Any day that you can fossil hunt is a great day." My family fossil website Some Of My Shark, Ray, Fish And Other Micros My Extant Shark Jaw Collection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoppeHunting Posted February 22, 2018 Author Share Posted February 22, 2018 Verdict: Isurus desori The Hunt for the Hemipristine continues! ~Hoppe hunting!~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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