PA Fossil Finder Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) I recently won an auction for a medium flat rate box of Lee Creek microfossil matrix, as well as a large bag of teeth, shells, and bones. This matrix is over ten years old, so it should have a lot of great stuff in it. I'm not quite sure on some of my IDs, so please feel free to correct me. Also, my pictures might not be so great. It has been rather cloudy here in Pennsylvania, so I've resorted to taking pictures under my plant growing light. I'm pretty sure these are from the Pungo River Formation, and they are Miocene aged. Here is the bag of shark teeth, bones, shells, and other goodies, emptied out onto a plate: I think this is a Carcharocles chubutensis tooth: And I think this is a baby/posterior megalodon tooth. I will update this thread with more pictures of the teeth I find in the matrix - stay tuned. Edited February 2, 2016 by PA Fossil Finder Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 In the big pile of goodies, I found three strange teeth - I think these are cow shark teeth (Notorynchus, or Hexanchus?) And in some of matrix I searched, I already found a great Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) tooth. I've found a few denticles and small teeth I've mistaken for whale shark teeth before, but this is my first. I found this strange thing in the bag of fossils, and dismissed it as a strangely shaped rock. But then I found another, smaller, one. I searched around online and I think they are the suboperculums of pufferfish. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 These were the largest complete teeth in the bag. I think they are mako teeth, Cosmopolitodus hastilis: There were also these smaller mako teeth, I think they are shortfin makos (Isurus oxyrinchus): There were tons of these tiger shark teeth: And lots of these Carcharias sp. teeth: Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) There were a lot of these teeth in the bag of teeth. I'm pretty sure they are Physogaleus contortus. I picked out four of my favorites to photograph: Some of the teeth have really amazing colors. Sadly, they don't show up on the camera very well. I was amazed at the serrations on these teeth. These are Snaggletooth shark (Hemipristis serra) teeth: I love the stripes and lines on some of those Hemipristis teeth. Edited February 2, 2016 by PA Fossil Finder Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Yup. Look like Physogaleus contortus (formerly Galeocerdo) teeth to me. We tend to call these "extinct Tiger Shark teeth" to differentiate them from the more modern (and still extant) Galeocerdo cuvier teeth that we also find in the Peace River. Both species are cool but Physogaleus are IMHO slightly cooler due to their limited supply (no longer being produced). Your Hemis are likely Hemipristis serra--the Oligocene-Miocene age teeth commonly found in the Carolinas through Florida. There is apparently an older (Eocene) species H. curvatus but I've never actually seen any of these. There is one extant species of this small genus--H. elongata that is found in the Indo-Pacific. These species belong to the family of weasel sharks (what an awful name for what was likely a majestic shark with awesomely serrated teeth). Hemipristis teeth are relatively common over here in the east but apparently are much more rare in places like Shark Tooth Hill in California (where Mako, Angel Shark, and Basking Shark teeth are a dime a dozen). I guess if we all had the same species of teeth in every locality there would be no cause to travel around and hunt different places. Congrats on what looks like an awesome box of rare matrix. Thanks again to you and sixgill pete for another successful auction to keep TFF up and running. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 2, 2016 Author Share Posted February 2, 2016 Your Hemis are likely Hemipristis serra--the Oligocene-Miocene age teeth commonly found in the Carolinas through Florida. There is apparently an older (Eocene) species H. curvatus but I've never actually seen any of these. There is one extant species of this small genus--H. elongata that is found in the Indo-Pacific. These species belong to the family of weasel sharks (what an awful name for what was likely a majestic shark with awesomely serrated teeth). Hemipristis teeth are relatively common over here in the east but apparently are much more rare in places like Shark Tooth Hill in California (where Mako, Angel Shark, and Basking Shark teeth are a dime a dozen). I guess if we all had the same species of teeth in every locality there would be no cause to travel around and hunt different places. Thanks for the ID! I updated my post to include the correct name. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bones Posted February 2, 2016 Share Posted February 2, 2016 Those are some very nice finds! Great pictures and you sure did well on the shark teeth IDs. I really like the wicked curved blades of the Physogaleus contortus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Stephen, I agree the first tooth is most likely C. chubutensis and the second is a posterior meg.The three cowshark teeth are most likely Notorynchus. The odd shaped one is a broken symphyseal. The odd shaped things are pufferfish. Looks like you have had a good time going through the bag of teeth. Lots of mako's I see, the tigers may be from 2 species; G. aduncus and G. cuvier. The odd shaped teeth are in fact Physogaleus contortus, they are very common in the old Lee Creek matrix. The Hemi's are H. serra. You could find as many as 10 or so different species of Carcharhinus in there, they are just so hard to ID for sure. Look on Elasmo.com on the Lee Creek page and it will be helpful to some degree I am sure. That Rhincodon typus (Whale Shark) tooth is awesome. One of the best I have seen in a while. Hopefully you will find a few more treasures in there. Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 I found an interesting tooth in the bag of fossils - an Angel Shark tooth (Squatina sp.). Due to the angular shape, I've always found these to be tough to photograph. While searching the micro matrix, I found this little denticle. It looks like it came from a Bramble Shark (Echinorhinus sp.). While searching the micro matrix, I came across these neat little things - they look like Burrfish mouthplates (Diodontidae - Chilomycterus sp.?). I had only ever found a half of a mouthplate when searching Lee Creek matrix before, so these were fun to find. Hopefully I'll find lots more cool stuff to post - I've been having tons of fun with this matrix! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Love the Bramble denticle. I have a few shark dermal denticles but I have no idea to which species they belong. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbshark Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Those are some great teeth in there, the material has beautiful colors up that way : )thanks for sharing Every once in a great while it's not just a big rock down there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Nice, angel shark teeth are not real common in the matrix, I always get excited when I find one. The mouth plates are just what you say they are and the denticle. I know Elasmo.com says they are bramble shark denticles, there are some who think they are some type of ray denticle. Personally, I still ID mine as brambles. Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 I got really excited when I found this - I think it is a Basking Shark (Cetorhinus sp.) gill raker! I've found plenty of Basking Shark teeth in Sharktooth Hill microfossil matrix, so I assumed that if I ever found a gill raker, it would be from there. I'm pretty sure Basking Sharks are fairly uncommon from Lee Creek, so I was surprised to find this - I hope it is what I think it is. Sorry about the blurry pictures. It's really small, so it's tough to get a picture with my camera. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 (edited) I do believe you are correct, Stephan. Looks like a gill raker to me. They are not common at all, I think I have all of three of them from Lee Creek. The teeth are even more uncommon from Lee Creek. I have one and have only seen one other. Excellent find. Edited February 7, 2016 by sixgill pete Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pterodactyl Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Beautiful teeth. "Welcome...To Jurassic Park!" -Richard Attenborough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickNC Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 You have a good batch of the stuff. I've went through probably hundreds of pounds and never have found a bramble shark denticle or an angel shark tooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 7, 2016 Author Share Posted February 7, 2016 I spent some time searching more micro matrix today. I found my second Whale Shark tooth! I also found this nice little mini-Hemipristis: Got another Bramble Shark denticle - and it's a whopper! Here it is compared to my first: This matrix is great - I haven't even searched a quarter of it, and I've already found a bunch of species I'd never seen before! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted February 7, 2016 Share Posted February 7, 2016 Looks like you are having a great time sorting through that micro-matrix. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khyssa Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 All great finds. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 Looks like you are having a great time sorting through that micro-matrix. Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Cheers. -Ken I am having fun. Before I got this box, I had only ever searched a small flat rate box of the newer mine tailings from Lee Creek. This older stuff is definitely richer in fossils, and I've already gotten a bunch of great teeth I've never collected before. With two denticles found, I'm hoping for a Bramble Shark tooth! Leaving to Arizona today... I won't be able to search my micro matrix for a while! Hopefully I'll be able to hunt for fossils there. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 I am having fun. Before I got this box, I had only ever searched a small flat rate box of the newer mine tailings from Lee Creek. This older stuff is definitely richer in fossils, and I've already gotten a bunch of great teeth I've never collected before. With two denticles found, I'm hoping for a Bramble Shark tooth! Leaving to Arizona today... I won't be able to search my micro matrix for a while! Hopefully I'll be able to hunt for fossils there. Many people that offer Lee Creek Matrix only have new stuff. And as you have now seen first hand, it does not compare with the old matrix. I am glad you are having fun with it and finding some or the rares stuff, along with adding new teeth to your collection. Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 Got some more great little micros to share tonight! I think I found another partial basking shark (Cetorhinus) gill raker. The one on the left is the raker I already found, and the new one is on the right. The tiny thing in the middle is a chunk of something that sort of resembled the gill rakers, but it is too out of focus to see here. A couple more Echinorhinus denticles: I have no idea what sort of ray tooth this is, maybe a Mobula sp.? The extra cusps are really throwing me off. Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixgill pete Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 I believe the ray tooth ether Plinthicus stenodon or possibly Paramobula fragilis. I would lean towards a partial P. stenodon. Bulldozers and dirt Bulldozers and dirt behind the trailer, my desert Them red clay piles are heaven on earth I get my rocks off, bulldozers and dirt Patterson Hood; Drive-By Truckers May 2016 May 2012 Aug 2013, May 2016, Apr 2020 Oct 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PA Fossil Finder Posted March 6, 2016 Author Share Posted March 6, 2016 I have no idea what this tiny mystery object is... My best guess is some sort of tiny crinoid calyx, but I've never seen one like this (or one from the Miocene). It is sort of conical, and it's only about a half of a centimeter tall. It has a pattern of small holes all around the outside, and the inside looks like it was once empty but it is now filled with shell debris and rock. Does anyone know what this is? Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted March 6, 2016 Share Posted March 6, 2016 I have no idea what this tiny mystery object is... My best guess is some sort of tiny crinoid calyx, but I've never seen one like this (or one from the Miocene). It is sort of conical, and it's only about a half of a centimeter tall. It has a pattern of small holes all around the outside, and the inside looks like it was once empty but it is now filled with shell debris and rock. Does anyone know what this is? Unknown 1.JPG Unknown 2.JPG Unknown 3.JPG Unknown 4.JPG It is a comatulid crinoid. I doubt that it is from Lee Creek, it looks like Eocene Castle Hayne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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