4.7 cm dark tooth from Otodus sokolovi

4.7 cm dark tooth from Otodus sokolovi

The 4.7 cm tooth of Otodus sokolovi has a darker brown enamel with a whitish pattern. The serration is very sharp and perfectly preserved, as are the two typical lateral teeth. The bourelette, which is also brown, is very narrow. The lighter white tooth root is solid and without major damage. Otodus sokolovi is considered an important transitional form between the species Otodus auriculatus and Otodus angustidens in the evolutionary line of ‘megatooth’ sharks, which also includes the famous megalodon. Characteristic of O. sokolovi are large teeth with lateral serrations and distinctive lateral cusps, which distinguish it from related species. Fossils of this shark are found mainly in the vicinity of Dakhla in the Western Sahara (Morocco). Otodus sokolovi documents an important stage in shark evolution after the extinction of the dinosaurs and is at the root of later giant species.