Pueblocarcharias Bourdon et al (2011:29-31 figs. 19a-h) is an odontaspidid shark reported only from the E-M Santonian of New Mexico. The singular known locale is thought to represent a near shore marine setting with riverine elements. The dentition is grasping-cutting in design.

In Pueblocarcharias kawaikensis BOURDON et al, 2011 (Figs. - below), the teeth are medium-sized (~1 cm height) with a narrow triangular cusp that become progressively more inclined distally, much more so in upper laterals. The cusplets are multiple (2 or more), slender, non-divergent and longer medially. The cusp's cutting edge is smooth and terminates prior to the cusplets. The crown enameloid is smooth except for strong branching folds of the lower labial crown face (bourrelet). Viewed lingually, the neck is moderately broad with a distinct nutritive groove; labially, the lower basal crown margin extends beyond the root. The root lobes are well-defined and somewhat narrow. The teeth appear to form a cutting-grasping dentition, displaying gradational (probably disjunct) monognathic and dignathic heterodonty.

As the authors noted, there are similarities between these teeth and some attributed to the Paleogene genus Palaeohypotodus. The hiatus between the Santonian and Paleocene reported occurrences favors convergent design rather than a much older member of the same genus.

Selected References