Peace River 6.10.2024

[Shellseeker]

I am very sensitive to water depth because I end up with more muscular and joint pain hunting in shallow water than in deep water (4 feet and above). So I learn to find and remember those locations that are low in deep water conditions and deep in low water conditions. All forecasts for SW Florida were predicting heavy rains starting today,  so I went out yesterday  to a location that has been 4 feet deep over the last 4-5 weeks, knowing that 4 feet would likely be 6 or 8 feet deep in a couple of days.

We found this location back in the late spring of 2022 and have returned at least 10 times, and that is NOT because I find a lot of fossils there. On a quantity basis, this is likely my least productive location. (small broken teeth removed)

BUT, the occasional "prize" has been outstanding... 

Back in 2022,  I found this Hemi...

A couple of weeks later,  

It is the best Kentriodontid Dolphin tooth I have found.

So, every time I return ,  I have that view that I am going to find another Kentriodontid tooth   and another Hemipristis.. 

From yesterday.  a 35 mm upper Hemi

and another dolphin tooth...

This is an interesting tooth.  Cusps and a ridge ???

 

 

So, I always reach out to other TFF members that might have found similar looking teeth in the Carolinas or Maryland.  I never think I have found the one and only tooth like this. 

 

There is another tooth in the "prize"  category...  My 1st thought was small dugong tooth... 

No roots , slightly broken enamel

I am surprised by what seems to be Hunter_Schreger Bands (HSBs).  Do Dugong have HSBs?

 

All comments appreciated !!! Yesterday was a very pleasant day. I found the Dolphin about 3 hours into an 8 hour day.  I was excited the rest of the day.

 

[Fin Lover]

The odontocete tooth looks similar to the Waipatiid teeth I find here, but they are Oligocene.  I'm not sure what was in Florida during the Miocene.

[Shellseeker]

1 hour ago, Fin Lover said:

The odontocete tooth looks similar to the Waipatiid teeth I find here, but they are Oligocene.  I'm not sure what was in Florida during the Miocene.

Thank you. 

Back in 2021, I found both a jaw and 2 months later a tooth of Delphinodon dividum in Southwest Florida.. 

There is no reference, no scientific paper, no indication of any research for Delphinodon dividum in the State of Florida. But I have a tooth and jaw segment that matches that species around the world. Research projects and scientific papers take $$$$ and Marine Mammal investments trailed mammals, echinoids and seashells and a ton of other fauna that were easier to find and thus attracted funding to Universities. 

Similar thing happened to whale Aulophyster morrici. It exists in Shark tooth Hill and South West Florida.  I have some examples, but that is all they are. Single isolated finds.

 

I do not think anyone is sure about what Marine Mammal fauna existed in Florida in the Miocene. 

 

I would be pleased if you can post Waipatiid Research papers and/or tooth photos.. You have given me a gift.  A thread to follow on Waipatiid !!!!  Jack

[Shellseeker]

@Fin Lover

Just did a cursory search of the internet.  and now have a tiny view of what Waipatiid teeth look like.  I should be able to find a few research papers on this and Bobby's blog will have excellent educational background.  I have even seen some of the sweet finds in your gallery.  

looks to be a possibility to investigate.  I "think" am looking for a single rooted Waipatiid tooth.  Thanks for the pointer.

[Shellseeker]

@Praefectus

Very interested in this tooth... Do you have size and other angles ?

 

@Fin Lover

On one of Bobby's Blogs,  That "pC2?"  single rooted, is a possibility... but looking at the tooth above ,  thinking again Kentriodontid

 

Here is another Peace River tooth, found and never identified...

 

 

I found another thread on this tooth below and Bobby's comments..

 

 

Some new names to chase down...  Pocageneus and Tretospnrys.. So much to learn , so little time..  Peace River up a foot in last 12 hours, rain continues tomorrow

 

[Shellseeker]

On the probable Dugong tooth, 

 

Not sure what they are , but those enamel "bands" seem to also be on this tooth found last year. Bottom left

[Fin Lover]

I hope you figure out the odontocete tooth.  My understanding is that most of the little teeth here aren't diagnostic, so I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to ID many of mine.  

[Shellseeker]

57 minutes ago, Fin Lover said:

I hope you figure out the odontocete tooth.  My understanding is that most of the little teeth here aren't diagnostic, so I haven't gone down the rabbit hole of trying to ID many of mine.  

I think I am trying something slightly different.  I strongly agree that most little dolphin teeth are not diagnostic,  so it is almost impossible to take one dolphin tooth and identify the species. 

 

Because of Harry's great picture above,  I thought that the 1st large dolphin tooth I found in 2022 was Kentriodontidae .cf delphinodon.  and ever since May 6th, 2022 , I have been looking for another in the same location. 

 

and Monday ,  I found another dolphin tooth at the same location,  only different,  smaller with a cusp and a ridge.. Did I find a Kentriodontidae again or something else ? 

This new tooth is different from any I have previously found... but I think that there are numerous dolphin teeth found all the time by TFF members like you, and other fossil hunters across the country or across the world... I am sending out a smoke signal asking of any have seen a similar tooth,  identified or not...and searching the internet at the same time...

AND I find this new tooth that has some similarities that @Praefectus had posted on another website !!!!

and it IS similar to mine...  That is an eureka moment.... Even if it is not diagnostic , to find such a similar looking tooth that came from Bakersfield.. I am just trying to tap the experiences of all those who are fossil enthusiasts who have seen something like my new find previously.