Description
This listing features a rare and scientifically significant fossil tooth from the extinct mackerel shark Cretolamna appendiculata, found in the Santonian stage of the Upper Cretaceous chalk beds at Downend Quarry, Hampshire, United Kingdom. British chalk shark teeth are seldom offered, especially from such a well-documented locality.
Geological Context:
- Fossil Type: Shark Tooth (Extinct lamniform shark)
- Species: Cretolamna appendiculata (Agassiz, 1843)
- Order: Lamniformes
- Family: Otodontidae (previously Lamnidae in some classifications)
- Geological Stage: Santonian (c. 86.3 to 83.6 million years ago)
- Formation: Upper Chalk Formation
- Depositional Environment: Open marine shelf with pelagic carbonate deposition
Cretolamna appendiculata is considered a primitive relative of the giant shark Otodus megalodon. It was a fast-swimming predatory shark with slender, multi-cusped teeth adapted for catching small to medium-sized marine vertebrates. Its teeth are some of the most commonly found in Late Cretaceous deposits globally, but British examples—especially from chalk—are comparatively rare.
Morphology & Notable Features:
- Triangular central cusp with well-defined lateral cusplets
- Slightly flattened root with broad root lobes
- Lingual face shows fine striations; enamel is glossy and well-preserved
- Tooth size and symmetry indicate placement in the anterior or lateral jaw position
Biozone Association: This specimen is attributed to the Santonian portion of the Chalk, typically within the Micraster coranguinum biozone—an important interval in southern England’s Upper Cretaceous stratigraphy.
Specimen Details:
- Origin: Downend Quarry, Hampshire, United Kingdom
- Age: Santonian Stage, Late Cretaceous (~85 million years old)
- Scale: Scale rule square/cube = 1cm. Please refer to photos for accurate sizing
- Condition: Professionally selected for preservation, detail, and completeness
- Photo: The fossil shown is the exact specimen you will receive
Certification & Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. Each specimen is carefully selected for scientific, educational, and display value.
This rare Cretolamna appendiculata tooth is a fascinating addition to any fossil or natural history collection—offering a glimpse into the ancient seas that once covered the British Isles during the Late Cretaceous.
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