Otodontidae
Cretolamna appendiculata
Cretolamna
CretaceousPaleoceneuncommon
An ancestral mackerel shark and the great-grandparent of Otodus and the megalodon lineage. The narrow blade with sharp triangular cusplets at the shoulders is unmistakable once you've seen one.
Typical size
0.4–1″
Trophy size
1.2″+
Age range
66–66 Ma
Body length
—
How to ID it in the field
- ▸Narrow, smooth, slightly curved blade — no serrations
- ▸Two prominent triangular cusplets, one on each shoulder of the root
- ▸Broad, deeply bilobed root
- ▸In NJ creeks, the contrast is striking: jet-black enamel on cream root
Quick reference
Shape
narrow blade
Serrations
none
Cusplets
prominent pair
Root
broad bilobed
Color
Glossy black; cream to honey root
Sample reference images
Use these visual references to compare angle, wear, and silhouette before making a final ID.
