3/17/18: partial Xiphactinus + fish tooth- North TX

[John S.]

A little luck of the Irish today. I’ve been having fun with the fishies lately. I found some of a pretty good size Xiphactinus and a large fish tooth at a separate spot. I’ll have to check back for more after the incoming rain. 

 

Late Cretaceous- Austin Group(85-88 mya)

 

The centra are 1.75 inches, that would put the fish at around 9-10 feet according to Oceans of Kansas. The fish tooth is exactly 2 inches. ID on the tooth?

[John S.]

[Fossildude19]

Man! Those are some cool finds.  

You are on fire so far this year, John! 

 

[Heteromorph]

Beautiful finds! Those are some serious jaws and that tooth is spectacular! Hopfully others can ID it. 

 

I assume that this is all from the lower Atco, right? I search the middle/upper Atco and have never found vertebrate material. Have you ever hunted and found any vertebrate material above the lower Atco? 

[John S.]

3 minutes ago, Heteromorph said:

Beautiful finds! Those are some serious jaws and that tooth is spectacular! Hopfully others can ID it. 

 

I assume that this is all from the lower Atco, right? I search the middle/upper Atco and have never found vertebrate material. Have you ever hunted and found any vertebrate material above the lower Atco? 

Thanks yes I believe all lower 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Most splendid! 

It's not just luck, you've clearly got a good eye. 

[izak_]

Very nice!

[believerjoe]

Everything you took out is not pictured, right?  Looks like there should be a lot more verts.

[Auspex]

Thank you especially for the awesome in-situ shot!

[John S.]

29 minutes ago, believerjoe said:

Everything you took out is not pictured, right?  Looks like there should be a lot more verts.

Only verts so far but yes probly more further in unless it’s the front portion only

[believerjoe]

4 minutes ago, John S. said:

Only verts so far but yes probly more further in unless it’s the front portion only

Are there not tons of ribs in you in situ picture?  

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Approved.

[John S.]

25 minutes ago, believerjoe said:

Are there not tons of ribs in you in situ picture?  

Yes lots of ribs. Very fragile but I got some embedded in rock

[believerjoe]

I would have voted for xiphactinus on the tooth even though not associated.  

[ynot]

Sweet finds!

[smt126]

Great finds. Are you allowed to excavate that at all?

[JarrodB]

Killer finds! Congrats

[sharko69]

Unreal what you find! Can you narrow it down to what County you found this material? Congrats on another amazing find.

[MeargleSchmeargl]

New pet fish?

[Shellseeker]

I  long and spiky teeth... for context

I do not think this one qualifies as "fish dinner".  GREAT discovery

[JimB88]

Thats cool! The tooth looks more Mosasaur to me, but Im no expert.

[JarrodB]

24 minutes ago, JimB88 said:

Thats cool! The tooth looks more Mosasaur to me, but Im no expert.

It's definitely Xiphactinus.