Sauropod maxilla?

[Anomotodon]

Bought this specimen as a crocodile jaw section a while ago, it is from Turonian of Bissekty formation, Uzbekistan. Teeth were definitely conical, which fits only two groups in that area - sauropods and crocodiles, but recently after looking at some skulls I noticed that it really doesn't fit crocodile skulls - both Alligatorid and Pholidosaurid.

What it seems to fit, is a titanosaur sauropod maxilla (Tapuiasaurus macedoi skull on the pictures below). 

 

Please confirm if I am imagining things here or (hopefully) not

 

@LordTrilobite @Troodon

 

 

 

And an Alligator skull for comparison

 

[LordTrilobite]

Any part of sauropod skull would be very rare indeed.

But I agree that this does not seem to fit croc. But it's hard to tell what it does fit since it's a fairly small fragment. Is that one small tooth I see that's intact? And is there a suture visible anywhere? Any additional diagnostic features might help a lot in determining what this might be. Perhaps you could post some more photos?

[Anomotodon]

No sutures and no intact teeth, unfortunately  Forgot to mention each square on the paper is 5 mm, total length is about 8 cm.

 

[Anomotodon]

[Anomotodon]

[TyBoy]

The sauropod teeth Ive seen in a paper from the Bissekty Formation appear to be uniform in diameter and not different sizes like the ones in your jaw which is more typical of Croc.   Sauropod peg teeth are fairly consistent in a jaw with replacement teeth.  

In looking at Wikipedia there are a number of Crocodylomorphs reported from the Bissekty Fm.

[Anomotodon]

There were also ichthyodectid fish like Aidachar with conical teeth, but the structure and shape are not very fishy

Xiphactinus maxilla for comparison

[LordTrilobite]

4 minutes ago, TyBoy said:

The sauropod teeth Ive seen in a paper from the Bissekty Formation appear to be uniform in diameter and not different sizes like the ones in your jaw which is more typical of Croc.   Sauropod peg teeth are fairly consistent in a jaw with replacement teeth.  

In looking at Wikipedia there are a number of Crocodylomorphs reported from the Bissekty Fm.

That's a very good point. The teeth size difference does point away from Sauropod. Though the jaw structure itself does not seem very much like a croc.

[Anomotodon]

11 minutes ago, TyBoy said:

The sauropod teeth Ive seen in a paper from the Bissekty Formation appear to be uniform in diameter and not different sizes like the ones in your jaw which is more typical of Croc.   Sauropod peg teeth are fairly consistent in a jaw with replacement teeth.  

In looking at Wikipedia there are a number of Crocodylomorphs reported from the Bissekty Fm.

 

In Averianov's paper all teeth described were not associated, they didn't find any jaw sections. Here are some upper jaw teeth from that paper. 

 

Otherwise, you are right, haven't really seen sauropod skulls with different diameter teeth. Maybe it could be a juvenile feature? If this maxilla is indeed a sauropod it is definitely from a young individual.

 

As for the crocodylians - I can't find any matches, this maxilla is too tall for all species known from this area - goniopholids, alligatorids and pholidosaurids (haven't seen any formal descriptions, but I have a pholidosaurid tooth from there that came as a gift with this jaw).

This maxilla also lacks those small sensory holes typical of crocs.

 

 

 

Here is a Tapuiasaurus maxilla

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Very interesting specimen.

[SULLY]

It’s a very cool piece. Just too bad it’s not a little bit bigger for identification. Regardless, great acquisition!

[zekky]

I'd recommend you get that x-rayed, see if there are any un-erupted teeth for ID.  Most dentist offices will do it, they'll even enjoy it.

[Anomotodon]

On 12/26/2018 at 10:55 PM, zekky said:

I'd recommend you get that x-rayed, see if there are any un-erupted teeth for ID.  Most dentist offices will do it, they'll even enjoy it.

 

Thanks, that's a great idea! Will try to do that 

[KCMOfossil]

[kolleamm]

Aren’t dinosaur jaw fossils comprised of two pieces usually? This looks like one solid piece