The first tooth set of Ptychodus atcoensis (Elasmobranchii: Ptychodontidae), from the Cretaceous of Venezuela

Abstract

Ptychodus atcoensis is a characteristic Late Cretaceous durophagous shark, with a fossil record that was previously known exclusively from the Coniacian Atco Formation in Texas, USA, North America. We illustrate and describe for the first time a partial articulated tooth set of P. atcoensis, from the Cretaceous of the Venezuelan Andes, representing the only known record of this species outside of North America, thus significantly increasing the palaeobiogeographic distribution of this taxon. This partial tooth set also documents characteristic variation in the teeth of P. atcoensis that will allow isolated teeth of the species to be more readily identified and located in the dentition.