Large smooth-edged triangular lamniform tooth with a substantial bilobed root.
Geologic age and collection locality are important for separating it from broad-toothed mako teeth.
01
IDENTIFICATION TRAITS
What to inspect.
- Crown shape
- Broad triangle or Narrow dagger
- Cutting edge
- Smooth edge
- Side cusplets
- No side cusplets
- Root
- Deep V-shaped root or Two distinct root lobes
- Reference height
- roughly 18–65 mm, depending on age and jaw position
- Time
- Late Cretaceous
02
WHY IT LOOKS THIS WAY
Form follows feeding.
Anterior teeth are taller and narrower; lateral teeth broaden. The cutting edges remain unserrated.
03
LOOKALIKES
Do not stop at the first match.
ExtinctBroad-toothed makoBroad, flat triangular crown like a white shark—but with completely smooth cutting edges.Compare profile →LivingShortfin makoSlender, smooth-edged crown that often flexes or curves, with no side cusplets.Compare profile →RELATED FORMOther Cretaceous lamniformsUse locality, age and associated teeth to separate this lookalike.
PRIMARY / AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE
Open source ↗Smithsonian NMNH
Use the source alongside collection locality and geologic age. A photograph alone cannot establish provenance.
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