What should the label be for this Dinosaur tooth?

[Muffinman217]

Hi all,

 

Recently picked up this fossil tooth. It is 1.61 Inches and the seller describes it as the Abelisaur species Kryptops.

 

They claimed it is from the Elrhaz formation of Niger. However some people have advised me saying they could be lying to increase its value. However given its large size I'm not sure where else it could be from, since I believe it is too large to be from the Kem-Kem Formation.

 

From the advice i have already received, I am of the belief that it is from an Abelisaur species. However I am not sure about whether to label it Abelisauridae indet, or Kryptops as it is the only described Abelisaur in the formation. 

 

The colour is interesting as many fossils from the Elrhaz are typically black/grey. However there are many reputable sellers listing Kryptop's and other Elrhaz species such as Sarcosuchus and Suchomimus which have the dark brown colour that this fossil has.

 

Thank you so much for any advice, this fossil tooth has left me very confused!

 

 

 

[Coco]

38 minutes ago, Muffinman217 said:

From the advice i have already received, I am of the belief that it is from an Abelisaur species. However I am not sure about whether to label it Abelisauridae indet, or Kryptops as it is the only described Abelisaur in the formation.

I would stay with a more vague name, because to describe Kryptos "because it is the only abelisaur identified there" does not seem to me to be a sufficient reason. It may be the only one, until another species is identified and published !

 

Coco

Edited August 30 by Coco

[rocket]

I would agree with Coco, there is so little known about the "Abelisaurids" from Niger. Has big similarities to Kryptops palaios

[Fossildude19]

Abelisaur indet. cf Kryptops palaios might be the way to go with this.