Easy Florida Ray Id

[Major]

I believe it's an Eagle Ray's (Aetobatus) Lower Dental Plate, but I'd like to be certain it's that exact stingray species.

This is the most complete Dental Plate I've found yet.

Thoughts?

~Major

[Coco]

Hi,

Aetobatus arcuatus Agassiz 1843 if it is Helvetian tooth (Miocene).

Coco

[Major]

Hi,

Aetobatus arcuatus Agassiz 1843 if it is Helvetian tooth (Miocene).

Coco

Hey there Coco,

I agree with Aetobatus, but I've never heard of Arcuatus. Could you describe it? Is it a North American Species?

Another, Crisper image to throw in that I'll be posting in the Gallery once I get an official name:

~Major

[Coco]

It is known in Europe. See here, p. 180 : http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/fossi...LLETTE_1984.pdf

and here http://users.skynet.be/somniosus/Miocene_3.htm

Coco

[MikeD]

It is known in Europe. See here, p. 180 : http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/fossi...LLETTE_1984.pdf

and here http://users.skynet.be/somniosus/Miocene_3.htm

Coco

Those websites have some nice information. Thanks for sharing.

[Major]

Those websites have some nice information. Thanks for sharing.

Agreed, but are they found in North America? If they're well known in Europe, that could be the only location to find it..

Just final assurance before I post it in the Gallery!

~Major

[Coco]

I am not sure this species is found in North America, but in the first link, p. 180, they say (bottom of the first column, and on the top of second one) :

"AETOBATUS ARCUATUS (Agassiz, 1843)

(Duckbilled Ray)

Identification of the duckbilled ray follows Meyer et al. (in press) and Cappetta (1 970). Arcuate tooth plates in the assemblage of abundant myliobatid remains from the Gatun Formation are referable to Aetobatus arcuatus; they cannot be distinguished from the Lee Creek duckbilled ray tooth plates in the SMU and USNM collections.

The species is widespread in the Miocene of Europe and America. It is common in the basal Yorktown

Formation (Pliocene) of North Carolina (Meyer et al., in press) and elsewhere in the Miocene of eastern United States and California, as summarized by Longbottom (1979), indicating Pacific and Atlantic distribution. The only South American record for Neogene Aetobatus is the Ecuadorian occurrence of specimens referred to this genus, but not identified to species (Longbottom, 1979)..."

You certainly understand better than me... :thumbsup:

Coco

[Major]

Glad to read that. Thanks for the ID!

I'll set it up in the Gallery when I get back home (I'm at my Grandparents right now).

I'll give you credit for the information (along with your source, of course) and the ID.

~Major