Analysis of an AssociatedCretoxyrhina mantelliDentition from the Late Cretaceous (Smoky Hill Chalk, Late Coniacian) of Western Kansas

Abstract

Fossil shark teeth are common but are usually represented by shed examples and are seldom in associated or articulated groups. Complete dentition reconstruction from isolated teeth cannot be certain, even when large quantities are available from a single location and horizon. The Smoky Hill Chalk (Late Cretaceous) of western Kansas, U.S.A. has yielded a number of associated, and sometimes articulated, tooth sets of Cretoxyrhina mantelli Agassiz. Teeth from articulated sets are rarely removed from matrix which limits the understanding of positional characteristics to a single perspective. In this paper, we analyze and described an associated set of disarticulated Cretoxyrhina teeth. These teeth were arranged and compared with other disarticulated associated sets, then compared with a known articulated tooth set; resulting in a multi-perspective Cretoxyrhina tooth set. This reconstruction provides characteristics that permit upper and lower lateroposterior teeth to be differentiated and raise questions regarding the number of anterior tooth positions present.