Description
Original diagnose after Leidy (1877) p. 251: Shark teeth of an unusual form, from the Ashley phosphate beds, are represented in figures 33-36, Plate xxxiv. I have supposed that these may be symphysial teeth of Carcharodon megalodon, or perhaps of C. angustidens, but I have not been able to determine the question. Nor is it positive that all these teeth pertain to the same species or genus. In all the specimens the root exceeds the crown in bulk, and in comparison with the usual condition of the root in the teeth of Sharks has the appearance of being deformed. In the largest tooth, figure 33, the crown is demi-conical, somewhat tapering and nearly straight, and its lateral acute borders are denticulate. The length and breadth of the root are nearly equal, and both are much greater than the length of the crown. It forms a prominence at the base of the crown to one side of the middle nearly as thick as the length of the crown on its inner face. The processes of the crown form two cones projecting in the same direction obliquely. Length of the tooth from the bottom of the root notch, 10 lines; length of crown medially and posteriorly, 5 1/2 lines; breadth at base, 8 lines; greatest length of root, 8 lines; breadth, 8 3/4 lines; thickness, 4 1/2 lines. The tooth represented in figure 34 is about half the size of the preceding. The crown is oblique and more expanded laterally at the base, and the borders are more distinctly denticulated. The inner process of the root is proportionately less prominent and the outer one is undeveloped. Length of the tooth from the point to the notch of the root, 5 1/2 lines; length of crown on the posterior face, 3 lines; breadth at base, 5 3/4; lines.

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=7524;
type species of Xenodolamia Leidy, 1877 p. 251 [1420] by subsequent designation (Hay (1902) p. 309 [1095]) (Art. 69.1 ICZN);

valid after Leidy (1877) p. 251 [1420]; Hay (1902) p. 309 [1095]

References