صفيحة من أسنان سمك القرش «أوتودوس» المتحجرة، وزنها 167 غرامًا

Rarity and Value
This fossil plate preserves an authentic tooth of Otodus obliquus, an extinct giant mackerel shark that dominated ancient marine ecosystems during the Early Eocene approximately 54 million years ago. The specimen exhibits the classic biological morphology associated with primitive lamniform sharks, including a sharply tapered triangular crown, smooth enamel surface, and broad bifurcated root structure designed for securing active prey in open marine waters. Otodus obliquus occupies a critical evolutionary position within the lineage that later produced giant apex predators such as Otodus megalodon. Fossil shark teeth are scientifically important because sharks possess cartilaginous skeletons that rarely fossilize, making teeth the primary biological evidence for reconstructing anatomy, feeding behavior, and evolutionary relationships. Well-preserved isolated teeth retaining clear crown and root structures are especially valued for documenting the diversification of large marine predators after the end-Cretaceous extinction event.

Discovery
This specimen originates from the famous phosphate deposits of the Oulad Abdoun Basin near Khouribga, Morocco, one of the richest marine fossil localities known worldwide. During the Eocene Epoch, the region formed part of a warm shallow sea inhabited by sharks, rays, bony fish, and marine reptiles. Otodus obliquus functioned as a dominant pelagic predator within these ecosystems, occupying the upper levels of the marine food chain. Fossil shark teeth from these deposits are uncovered during phosphate mining operations that expose fossil-rich sedimentary layers accumulated on the ancient seafloor over millions of years. The preserved tooth demonstrates biological adaptations associated with active predation, including strong enamel composition and a streamlined conical form optimized for piercing prey. Fossils from these Moroccan deposits provide significant paleontological evidence for understanding shark evolution during the Paleogene and the emergence of giant predatory lamniform sharks in post-extinction marine ecosystems.

Preservation
The tooth is naturally preserved within a compact marine limestone matrix that stabilizes the specimen and protects its original anatomical structure. The crown retains its elongated triangular shape and smooth enamel texture, while the root remains clearly visible despite extensive mineralization during fossilization. Subtle color variations between the fossil tooth and surrounding matrix reflect natural geochemical processes within marine sedimentary environments over tens of millions of years. The limestone matrix itself preserves part of the ancient seabed environment in which the tooth became buried shortly after deposition. The specimen’s preservation quality allows detailed observation of important biological characteristics, including crown proportions, root morphology, and feeding adaptations characteristic of early mackerel sharks. Such preservation contributes valuable scientific insight into extinct shark anatomy, marine paleoecology, and the evolutionary history of apex predators that once dominated Earth’s oceans during the Eocene Epoch.