THE SHARKS

Crow Shark
Pseudocorax affinis (Agassiz)
aka Corax affinis (Agassiz)

Age - Cretaceous  Commonality - Scarce

First added to the fauna list of New Jersey in 2004¹, the teeth of Pseudocorax affinis are rare and bear a resemblance to the more commonly found teeth of Squalicorax kaupi. While both species belong to the same family (Anacoracidae) the most marked differences between the two species seems to occur in the root. The root of Pseudocorax affinis is moderately robust and strongly bilobate with a distinct nutrient groove. This nutrient grove is completely lacking in all of the Squalicorax species. The crown is moderately broad and there is a distinct notch on the distal side.

Specimen and photographs courtesy of Steve B.

Link to Squalicorax page       

Lingual view of Pseudocorax affinis.
P. affinis posses a distinct nutrient grove.
Monmouth County, NJ.
Specimen and photographs courtesy of Steve B.
 

Labial view of P. affinis, the root has a "U" shape.
 

Left -  Pseudocorax affinis, Right - Squalicorax kaupi
The nutrient grove on P. affinis is lacking on all the Squalicorax species. 
 

¹ Case, R G. and Cappetta, H., 2004 - Additions to the Elasmobranch Fauna From the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey
(Lower Navesink Formation, Early Maastrichtian)

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