Stingray Pavement Tooth
Myliobatis cf. californica or Myliobatis sp. • Body fossil; Chondrichthyan dental plate fragment (Vertebrate)
Geological Period
Cretaceous to Neogene (likely Miocene or Pliocene)
Estimated Age
5 to 25 million years
Preservation Type
Permineralization with phosphate; typically termed 'black fossils' due to anaerobic mineralization
Condition Assessment
Good; showing typical aquatic tumbling wear (rounded edges) but retains clear diagnostic root structure
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Chondrichthyes, Order: Myliobatiformes, Family: Myliobatidae, Genus: Myliobatis
Morphological Description
A single, elongated hexagonal dental bar. Features include a flat, worn occlusal surface and a distinctively ribbed or 'polystichous' root structure on the underside consisting of parallel vertical laminae.
Rock Matrix
None attached; likely recovered from marine lag deposits or phosphate-rich sands
Formation & Location
Commonly found in the Bone Valley Formation (Florida) or Calvert Formation (Maryland/Virginia), USA
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 1.5 - 2.0 cm in length; typical for a single medial tooth bar from an adult Eagle Ray
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$5 - $15 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD (usually sold in bulk lots)
Rarity Assessment
Common; frequently found by beachcombers in fossil-rich coastal areas
Scientific Significance
Provides data on marine paleoenvironments and the presence of durophagous (shell-crushing) predators in ancient coastal ecosystems
Preparation Recommendations
Requires minimal preparation; rinse in distilled water to remove salts and store in a dry, stable environment
Notable Features
The specimen is a medial bar from a crushing 'pavement' battery used to grind mollusks and crustaceans