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Here are two links to posts dealing with how to post pictures on Black River Fossils forums.

1. How to Post Pictures on Black River Fossils Forums by ditchweezil

2. How to Post Pictures on Black River Fossils Forums by Daryl

  

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  Fossils  Identification Help  G. aduncus?...
 G. aduncus?
 
 6/17/2007 3:50:44 PM
User is offlinejp
76 posts


G. aduncus?
i've posted a picture of what I believe to be 4 Galeocerdo aduncus teeth in the gallery, in the section set up for pics from forum questions. I've been interested in the question posed by Darryl some time ago concerning juvenile G. contortus teeth. Also in DW's response and pictures under that forum topic. I can't add anything to that discussion, but it sort of promted this identification question. Pictured are what I think are 4 aduncus teeth. Top left is just a regular tooth (for comparison purposes). Top right is what seems to be a pathalogical split tip. But the two bottom ones are the reason for the identification question. Bottom left has a broken root. The main crown is twisted a little and then has the second crown, which is somewhat thinner. Bottom right is sometwhat less robust than bottom left and has two distinct crowns. So, my question is, are these two bottom teeth symphyseals, pathalogical, or have I misidentified the species and missed the boat entirely? I apologize for the poor quality picture.
 6/17/2007 8:46:35 PM
Online now...ditchweezil
328 posts
3rd




Re: G. aduncus?
 Modified By ditchweezil  on 6/17/2007 2:50:42 PM)

Galeocerdo species are tough to ID sometimes. I always look at them from the edge - Contortus teeth have a twist and aduncas have a relatively straight edge. The two bottom teeth in you photo are pathologic and look like the could be sympheseal teeth. The position normally has just a straight cone. Do you have any from the sympheseal position without the pathology?

 6/18/2007 12:51:41 PM
User is offlinejp
76 posts


Re: G. aduncus?
Thanks DW. Finding two teeth with similar pathology in a relatively short period of time made me question whether they were pathologic or not. Caused me to question if I had even identified the species correctly. I was not totally clear on contortus symphyseals and the writeup and pictures you posted in connection with Darryl's forum question regarding juvenile contortus teeth helped me gain understanding on this. So, to answer your question, yes, i do have some, not alot, of the contortus symphyseals. I originally thought the tooth pictured on the bottom left was contortus. Then found the second one, which is pretty obvious aduncus. So, kind of threw me off a bit and I appreciate your assistance. I do think the one on the bottom left is contortus (based on a twist in the main blade and a thick root) and the one on the bottom right is aduncus. In your experience, is the double blade a common pathology? Just as an aside, really enjoyed reading about your experiences with the metal detector.
 6/18/2007 2:51:19 PM
Online now...ditchweezil
328 posts
3rd




Re: G. aduncus?

I have seen the split tip on several galeocerdo contortus before, but I wouldn't call it common by any means. over my life, I've found tens of thousands of tiger shark teeth and I've never found one. but I was there when t$ found one, and Jedi Master has several of them. None of the split tip teeth have ever been the sympheseal position, though. That's a very cool tooth! Looks almost like that most coveted position of cow sharks, doesn't it?

Thanks for your comments on the metal detecting. I really enjoyed that day. It made me wish that I had a similar detector for fossils (yet again!)

 6/18/2007 4:27:29 PM
User is offlinejp
76 posts


Re: G. aduncus?
Yes, those teeth did get me to thinking there could be some sort of a cow shark relationship. But they had all tiger shark characteristics with the exception of the extra tip. Anyhow, that was the reason for the question and appreciate all the information. Thanks.

The metal detecting adventure reminds me of Paleobum's account of researching the long ago phosphate laden boats in Florida, finding out that the fossils added exta weight and needed to be thrown out, and then finding the location where the fossils were discarded. About as fine a piece of fossil detective work as I could imagine and sounds like you might be on to something similar.
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