Small Toothed Sand Tiger
Odontaspis reticulata (Probst)
aka Carcharias reticulata (Probst)
aka Carcharias
acutissma
aka Odontaspis cf acutissma
aka Synodontaspis acutissma

Age - Eocene - Pleistocene(?)  Occurrence - Abundant

There seems to be little agreement among the experts on this one. I will follow what is currently the more popular thinking and use Odontaspis reticulata.
 
Fortunately for collectors in Monmouth County, NJ. these delicate little critters are relatively easy to identify. The teeth of O. reticulata are relatively small, averaging a little under 1/2 inch and rarely exceeding an inch. The crown is slender with relatively long slender cusplets, which may be accompanied by a marginal pair. The lingual side of the crown is smooth or may have very faint, short striations. There is a strong lingual protuberance and obvious nutrient grove on the root. On the lateral teeth the crown is relatively slender and there is normally a pair of reduced secondary cusplets. These teeth are fairly common but due to there delicate nature are often found with broken cusplets or roots.

Note: Since I frequently use šKent as a reference it should be noted that Kent lists Carcharias acutissma and Carcharias reticulata as separate species and distinguishes C. reticulata from Odontaspis by the presence of a nearly complete cutting edge and very weak striations.

Striation comparison page


 

Odontaspis reticulata

The teeth of Odontaspis reticulate average a little less than 1/2 inch.

Monmouth County, NJ.
 


 

There is a strong lingual protuberance and obvious nutrient grove on the root. 

 Monmouth County, NJ

 


 

This tooth bears faint striations and a marginal second cusplet.
 


 

Cusplets on a pristine tooth. The sharp points dull quickly
due to stream wear.
 


 

Lateral teeth are small, normally less than 1/2 inch with narrow crowns and
more often than not will show marginal secondary cusplets.
The laterals of Odontaspis reticulate may be confused with
Carcharias cuspidata. O. reticulate is a smaller, more delicate
looking tooth, with a much narrower crown.   
 


 

Just a whole mess of them.
 

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šKent, B., 1994. Fossil Sharks of the Chesapeake Region. Egan Rees & Boyer, Maryland. 146 pp

 

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