(LINKS TO PAST FOSSIL FRIDAYS)

Community College (LRCCD)

Geology & Earth Science Instructor: Arthur Reed, P.G.

Happy Fossil Friday!

Friday February 5, 2021

Notidanodon dentatus (extinct cow shark)

These are the fossilized lower anterolateral teeth of Notidanodon dentatus, an extinct cow shark from the Mesozoic Period

Sharks of the Notidanodon genus were globally widespread in the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene Periods. They were carnivorous opportunistic scavengers and lived in the deep ocean.

This specimen was found at Mangahouanga Stream, inland Hawke’s Bay and is 86.5 - 66.0 million years old. The scale bar is 1 cm.

Related fun video taken in the coastal waters of South Africa.

Approximate location of the fossil in the above photo.

Generalized size comparison.