Eagle Ray Toothplate

[Harry Pristis]

Here's a toothplate from an eagle ray. This fossil is from the Late Oligocene (~ 29 Ma.) Suwannee Limestone in North Florida's Suwannee River. Usually, these toothplates are disarticulated into individual teeth. Note the wear on the occlusal surface, no doubt from crushing hard-shelled prey.

​

 

[Perico]

I have never seen one whole, only partials. Very nice example.