MarcoSr Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 (edited) I want to thank Doren for sending me matrix from the Ernst Ranch in Bakersfield California. I’ll post all of the nicer specimens that I found in the matrix, when I’m through searching it all, at a later date. However, I did want to post this 7mm tooth separately. It is from the Miocene, Round Mountain Silt, Sharktooth Hill Fauna. At first I thought it was a Megachasma. Megachasma teeth are very rare from the Sharktooth Hill Fauna. They are significantly different than Lee Creek specimens and the extant species and are possibly a different genus or species. This tooth does have some damage to the base of the crown. However, serrations on the specimen rules out the Megachasma id. Marco Sr. Edited July 23, 2014 by MarcoSr "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...
Al Dente Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Marco Are those serrations along the blade? If so it might be a Physogaleus symphyseal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hamilton Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 (edited) Marco, That is a beautiful tooth. Can't wait to see what else you find! I have a medium flat rate box of Doren's matrix that should arrive on Monday. Seeing this tooth has me very excited about what I might find. Hope you have a great Christmas! Regards, John Edited December 22, 2013 by John Hamilton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hamilton Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Marco Are those serrations along the blade? If so it might be a Physogaleus symphyseal. Marco, After looking at these photos on my computer (my first post was from my phone) I think I agree with Al Dente. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siteseer Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 JH, I agree with you and Al Dente that it is a Physogaleus symphyseal. The serrations are an indicator as well as the large lingual protuberance. I have a tooth like that and about the same size and it has serrations too. They are usually a little larger (+/- 10mm) and have more of a twist to the cusp). It is a tougher call when the crown has a little wear.. This position is very uncommon. I think I've found maybe two good ones and two beat-up ones. Jess Marco, After looking at these photos on my computer (my first post was from my phone) I think I agree with Al Dente. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoSr Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Marco Are those serrations along the blade? If so it might be a Physogaleus symphyseal. Marco, After looking at these photos on my computer (my first post was from my phone) I think I agree with Al Dente. That's exactly what I was thinking also after looking at the pictures for a long while after posting. There are serrations which would make Physogaleus or Galeocerdo symphyseal very likely. However I have a good number of Physogaleus symphseals that don't have the same exact root shape or the same exact recurved blade. But that could just be a East Coast/West Coast variation. Typically the more common id is correct although different from what is really desired. What a bummer. 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...
MarcoSr Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 JH, I agree with you and Al Dente that it is a Physogaleus symphyseal. The serrations are an indicator as well as the large lingual protuberance. I have a tooth like that and about the same size and it has serrations too. They are usually a little larger (+/- 10mm) and have more of a twist to the cusp). It is a tougher call when the crown has a little wear.. This position is very uncommon. I think I've found maybe two good ones and two beat-up ones. Jess Jess I agree. I should have noticed the serrations but really didn't until after I posted. I plan on blurring the photos and reposting. Will that change your mind? 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...
John Hamilton Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 That's exactly what I was thinking also after looking at the pictures for a long while after posting. There are serrations which would make Physogaleus or Galeocerdo symphyseal very likely. However I have a good number of Physogaleus symphseals that don't have the same exact root shape or the same exact recurved blade. But that could just be a East Coast/West Coast variation. Typically the more common id is correct although different from what is really desired. What a bummer. Marco Sr. Marco, I suffered the same disappointment last year when I thought I found a megachasma in my Lee Creek matrix. It turned out to be a symphyseal too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoSr Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Marco, I suffered the same disappointment last year when I thought I found a megachasma in my Lee Creek matrix. It turned out to be a symphyseal too. John It is disappointing. I'm just glad this specimen had the visible serrations (not that they were worn off) or I would have convinced myself it was one because I wanted it to be one. 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...
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