Sphyrna Rafinesque, 1810

Cicimurri, David J. & Knight, James L., 2009, Late Oligocene sharks and rays from the Chandler Bridge Formation, Dorchester County, South Carolina, USA, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 54 (4), pp. 627-647 : 635

Genus Sphyrna Rafinesque, 1810

Type species: Squalus zygaena Linneaus, 1758 , Recent, “Europe, America”.

Sphyrna cf. S. media Springer, 1940

Fig. 5K .

Referred specimens.— BCGM 9075–9077, SC 2009.18.11.

Comments.—Our sample compares favorably to material identified as Sphyrna cf. S. media by Purdy et al. (2001). We concur with Purdy et al. (2001) that S. arambourgi Cappetta, 1970 (pl. 19: 3–16) is indistinguishable from teeth they identify as Sphyrna cf. S. media . Based on overall size, cusp morphology, and elongated, low distal heel, we believe that specimens identified as Scoliodon terraenovae (Richardson, 1836) by Case (1980: pl. 7: 1, 2) are assignable to Sphyrna cf. S. media . The morphology and size of the tooth identified as Rhizoprionodon by Génault (1993: figs. 61, 62) also appears to be closer to S. media . Maximum tooth width of Sphyrna cf. S. media in our sample is approximately 10 mm, and they differ from those of S. zygaena (Linnaeus, 1758) in being smaller in size, having a much more gracile cusp, and mesial cutting edges are straight to concave.

Stratigraphic and geographic range.—Oligocene, USA (North and South Carolina), France (?); Miocene, USA (North Carolina), France.

Figures

Fig. 5. Carcharhiniform sharks from Summerville, upper Chattian. A–D. Carharhinus gibbesi (Woodward, 1889). A. BCGM 9059, juvenile upper anterior tooth, labial view. B. BCGM 9060, adult upper anterior tooth, labial view. C. BCGM 9061, juvenile upper lateral tooth, labial view. D. BCGM 9058, adult lower anterior tooth, labial view. E, F. Physogaleus aduncus (Agassiz, 1835). E. BCGM 9064, upper lateral tooth, labial view. F. BCGM 9066, lower anterior tooth, labial view. G. Physogaleus sp., BCGM 9068, antero−lateral tooth, labial view. H. Rhizoprionodon sp., BCGM 9070, labial view. I, J. Hemipristis serra (Agassiz, 1835). I. BCGM 9073, adult upper lateral tooth, labial view. J. BCGM 9072, juvenile upper lateral tooth, labial view. K. Sphyrna cf. S. media Springer, 1940, BCGM 9077, lateral tooth, labial view. L. Sphyrna zygaena (Linneaus, 1758), BCGM 9079, lateral tooth, lingual view. M. Bythaelurus sp., BCGM 9074, labial view. N–P. Galeorhinus sp. N. BCGM 9081, parasymphyseal tooth, labial view. O. BCGM 9082, antero−lateral tooth, labial view. P. BCGM 9083, lateral tooth, labial view.