Maybe A Mosasaur? Micro from Central Texas

[JamieLynn]

At the same location as I found a tiny Mosasaur tooth (probably Russelosaurus in Austin Chalk Formation) I just found this little tooth. It seems to have the basic qualifications - curved with ridge on the outside curve but it doesn't have the enamel striations I associate with mosasaur. It really looks more like a crab claw to me, but it doesn't have any other crabby characteristics except for shape and that ridge gives me pause. Are there any fish teeth that look like this? Any thoughts, y'all? 

1/4 inch

 

 

 

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Yeah, as soon as I saw the picture I also thought decapod claw as well.

I could be wrong, but that was my first thought.

First thought for weeks, actually.

[Al Dente]

The carina looks like it has thickened enamel. I’ve seen some fish teeth with this similar feature.

[oilshale]

9 hours ago, Tidgy's Dad said:

Yeah, as soon as I saw the picture I also thought decapod claw as well.

I could be wrong, but that was my first thought.

First thought for weeks, actually.

First thought for weeks? Are you still in hibernation?

[rocket]

my five cents are: Mosasaur

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

Tricky one, this! On the one hand I see where you're coming from with the decapod claw, while at the same time we should be aware that plenty of derived mosasaurids didn't have crenulations and that these, moreover, easily wear off. And while the crown apex is damaged, it seems likely the carina would've reached all the way up. Then there's be based, which appears covered by remnants of matrix, making it hard to make out whether it's a hollow filled with matrix, or dentine - again in reference of the decapod claw. Smooth as the tooth is, however, and seeing as one side of its basal cross-section appears straight, I'd be in favour of classifying this as a fish tooth, potentially something like Pachyrhyzodus sp..

[JamieLynn]

thanks y'all. @pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon I was kind of thinking Pachyrhyzodus, but the one I have found has more of a "fishy" look with striated enamel and is more robust.

 

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

1 hour ago, oilshale said:

First thought for weeks? Are you still in hibernation?

Brumation.

But, yes, I rarely emerge from it.

[Carl]

I'm seeing a fish tooth here.

[Fossildude19]

Fish tooth for me, as well.

 

[pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon]

1 hour ago, JamieLynn said:

thanks y'all. @pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon I was kind of thinking Pachyrhyzodus, but the one I have found has more of a "fishy" look with striated enamel and is more robust.

 

 

I don't think those are actual striae, but rather cracks in the enamel from weathering...