fossilnut Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Apologies since this is modern versus fossil. But was my first ever experience with ray cartilage and I am excited. The vertebrae were found in different locations as were the 2 snouts I found. I also came across a ray's carcass that was intact but beginning to deteriorate. It's snout was skin covered but appeared to be the same. The vertebrae also looked identical to the ones I found. It was humped up I guess because of the drying and shrinkage of the skeleton. It had claspers so it was a male. About a foot and a half body with a long tail. The tail had hooked denticles? all along the top dorsal side curved toward the end. I was not as observant as I should have been to gather more details. I really wanted that tail! but I was unable to remove it and the body had a quite offensive smell. Also I did not have a camera so no pictures. Looking online the snout looks very much like an Atlantic guitarfish and its habitat is north Carolina and south US. Any help to confirm or point me in another direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilnut Posted May 13, 2018 Author Share Posted May 13, 2018 Additional pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilnut Posted May 13, 2018 Author Share Posted May 13, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Al Dente Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Nice find. Atlantic guitarfish occur in southern North Carolina, probably very rare in the Outer Banks. The hooked denticles makes me think this belongs to a clearnose skate (Raja eglanteria). They are very common on the Outer Banks certain times of the year. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fossilnut Posted May 13, 2018 Author Share Posted May 13, 2018 @Al DenteThanks for that information. I have found fossil hooked denticles but did not envision how they would appear on the live animal. That was exciting and informative. Glad to have had that unique experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Okay, not fossils, but very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoSr Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 6 hours ago, fossilnut said: The tail had hooked denticles? all along the top dorsal side curved toward the end. I was not as observant as I should have been to gather more details. I really wanted that tail! but I was unable to remove it and the body had a quite offensive smell. Also I did not have a camera so no pictures. 3 hours ago, Al Dente said: Nice find. Atlantic guitarfish occur in southern North Carolina, probably very rare in the Outer Banks. The hooked denticles makes me think this belongs to a clearnose skate (Raja eglanteria). They are very common on the Outer Banks certain times of the year. Agree with Eric that if it had hooked denticles on the tail it sounds like a skate like Raja. Marco Sr. 1 "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...
fossilnut Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 Thanks to @MarcoSr , @Al Dente and @Tidgy's Dad for your comments and information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcoSr Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 1 hour ago, fossilnut said: Thanks to @MarcoSr , @Al Dente and @Tidgy's Dad for your comments and information. If you want a great guide to help identify extant sharks, batoids and chimaera of the North Atlantic google search for Ebert Stehmann 2013 "SHARKS, BATOIDS AND CHIMAERAS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC" which is 537 pages and a free download PDF (16.3 MB). See below for some examples from the PDF: Cover: Beginning of Raja section: Description of Raja eglanteria : Marco Sr. 4 "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...
fossilnut Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 @MarcoSrGreat information and free! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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