Squalicorax Shark Tooth (Crow Shark)
Squalicorax cf. pristodontus • Body fossil, Vertebrate (Chondrichthyes)
Geological Period
Upper Cretaceous
Estimated Age
80 to 70 million years
Preservation Type
Recrystallization and permineralization of the original calcium phosphate (apatite)
Condition Assessment
Good. The crown is intact with visible serrations, though the root shows significant weathering and porous erosion.
Taxonomic Classification
Phylum: Chordata, Class: Chondrichthyes, Order: Lamniformes, Family: Anacoracidae, Genus: Squalicorax
Morphological Description
Broad, heart-shaped crown with a characteristic 'D' shaped profile. Features a serrated distal margin with a distinct notch and a wide, robust root. The labial face is relatively flat while the lingual face (visible here) is convex.
Rock Matrix
Specimen is isolated; however, adhering sediment suggests a phosphatic chalk or marl matrix.
Formation & Location
Commonly found in the Selma Group (USA) or the Phosphate Basins of Morocco (Oulad Abdoun Basin).
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 20mm - 25mm in width; typical for large adult specimens of this genus.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $25.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$15.00 - $30.00 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common; widely distributed in Cretaceous marine deposits globally.
Scientific Significance
Squalicorax was a widespread scavenger-predator of the Cretaceous seas. This specimen provides evidence of late Mesozoic marine food webs and tooth morphology evolution in lamniform sharks.
Preparation Recommendations
Requires minimal preparation. Light cleaning with a soft brush and stabilization of the porous root with a reversible consolidant like Paraloid B-72 is recommended.
Notable Features
Features high-density serrations along the blade and a distinctly wide root structure typical of the 'Pristodontus' species of Crow Shark.