Crow Shark
Pseudocorax affinis (Agassiz)
aka Corax affinis (Agassiz)

Age - Cretaceous  Commonality - Scarce

First added to the fauna list of New Jersey in 2004¹, the teeth of Pseudocorax affinis are rare and bear a resemblance to the more commonly found teeth of Squalicorax kaupi. While both species belong to the same family (Anacoracidae) there are marked differences between the two species. The root of Pseudocorax affinis is moderately robust and strongly bilobate with a distinct nutrient groove. This nutrient grove is completely lacking in all of the Squalicorax species. The crown is moderately broad and lacks the long convex mesial cutting edge that is so distinctive of Squalicorax, there is a distinct notch on the distal side.

NJ specimen and photographs courtesy of Steve B.

Link to Squalicorax page       

Lingual view of Pseudocorax affinis.
P. affinis posses a distinct nutrient grove.
Monmouth County, NJ.
Specimen and photographs courtesy of Steve B.
 

Labial view of P. affinis, the root has a "U" shape.
 

Left -  Pseudocorax affinis, Right - Squalicorax kaupi
The nutrient grove on P. affinis is lacking on all the Squalicorax species. 
(black arrow)
The long convex mesial cutting edge found on Squalicorax is lacking in Pseudocorax,
giving the crown a more "pointed" appearance.
 (blue arrow)
 

For comparison purposes I've added these photos of Pseudocorax sp.
(click to enlarge)
Photos and specimen curiosity of Patrick Hendricks

¹ Case, R G. and Cappetta, H., 2004 - Additions to the Elasmobranch Fauna From the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey
(Lower Navesink Formation, Early Maastrichtian)

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