Thresher Shark Fossil Tooth Images and Morphometric Analysis

A 35.5 KB document analyzes taxonomic boundaries within the Alopiidae (thresher shark) family using a comprehensive dataset of fossil tooth images. The research combines quantitative geometric morphometric analysis with qualitative assessments of diagnostic features across extant and fossil genera. The work, authored by Danillo Santos Granzotti and last updated in April 2026, underscores the need for integrated qualitative and quantitative approaches in taxonomic revision.

Use Cases

• Classifying fossil shark teeth based on qualitative diagnostic features described in the study.
• Testing morphometric similarity for taxonomic placement using geometric morphometric analysis.
• Investigating convergent evolution in dental morphology between different shark families.
• Assessing the placement of ambiguous genera like †Trigonotodus within the Lamniformes order.

Strengths

• The study integrates both quantitative geometric morphometric analysis and qualitative diagnostic assessments.
• Analysis is based on a comprehensive dataset of fossil tooth images.
• The document is openly licensed under CC-BY-4.0.

Limitations

• The dataset is a 35.5 KB DOCX file, indicating a very limited scope, likely a research paper rather than a primary data repository.
• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown; data structure must be inferred from the text.
• The primary content appears to be a research document; raw image or measurement data may not be directly included.

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Research combining analysis of fossil tooth images from the record with morphometric techniques.

Time Range

Covers both extant species and fossil genera from the Cretaceous onward.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 08:18:08.

Geography

Global, as the study addresses the Alopiidae family and its fossil record.