Carcharias, Rafinesque, 1810

Zouhri, Samir, Gingerich, Philip D., Khalloufi, Bouziane, Bourdon, Estelle, Adnet, Sylvain, Jouve, Stéphane, Elboudali, Najia, Amane, Ayoub, Rage, Jean-Claude & Tabuce, Rodolphe, 2021, Middle Eocene vertebrate fauna from the Aridal Formation, Sabkha of Gueran, southwestern Morocco, Geodiversitas 43 (5), pp. 121-150 : 125

‘ Carcharias ’ koerti ( Stromer, 1910)

MATERIAL. — 30 broken isolated teeth, figured material included FSAC Bouj-325 and 326.

DESCRIPTION

Occurrence of the middle Eocene ‘ Carcharias ’ koerti is confirmed in Gueran ( Fig. 2F, G ). Interestingly, the majority of recovered teeth (e.g., Fig. 2G ) are relatively small compared to the usual Lutetian representatives.

REMARKS

The generic affinity of this large pelagic shark to ‘‘ Carcharias ” or “ Brachycarcharias ” still remains unclear (e.g., Strougo et al. 2007; Underwood et al. 2011), it is preferentially known in the Lutetian deposits and is widely distributed around the North and Western African coasts ( Stromer 1910; White 1955; Dartevelle & Casier 1959; Cappetta & Traverse 1988; Cappetta et al. 2000; Noubhani & Cappetta 1997; Strougo et al. 2007). Rarely recovered in MI (Uppermost LutetianLowermost Bartonian), GA (Lutetian-Bartonian) and lacking in GE A-C (uppermost Bartonian) and the remainder of the succession of Wadi al Hitan, Egypt (see Underwood et al. 2011), its occurrence in Boujdour area seems to indicate that the age of the deposits is likely older than latest Bartonian.

Figures

FIG. 2. — Elasmobranchii Lamniformes teeth remains from Sabkha of Gueran collected around Archaeocete whale carcasses: A-C, Otodus (Carcharocles) cf. sokolowi: A, FSAC Bouj-320 lateral upper tooth in (A1) labial and (A2) lingual views; B, FSAC Bouj-321 anterior lower tooth in labial view; C, FSAC Bouj-322 lateral lower tooth in labial view; D, E, Otodus (Carcharocles) sp.: D, FSAC Bouj-323 antero-lateral tooth in (D1) labial and (D2) lingual views; E, FSAC Bouj-324 lateral tooth (E1) labial and (E2) lingual views; F, G, “Carcharias” koerti; F, FSAC Bouj-325 anterolateral upper tooth in (F1) labial and (F2) lingual views; G, FSAC Bouj-326 anterior tooth of juvenile (G1) labial and (G2) lingual views; H-K, Macrorhizodus praecursor: H, FSAC Bouj-327 anterior lower tooth (H1) labial and (H2) lingual views; I, FSAC Bouj-328 anterior upper tooth in (I1) labial and (I2) lingual views; J, FSAC Bouj-329 lateral upper tooth in (J1) labial and (J2) lingual views; K, FSAC Bouj-330 lateral lower tooth (K1) labial and (K2) lingual views. Scale bars: 10 mm.