Directions: Part 1 1. Practice identifying megalodon shark teeth

Lesson 2 - Megalodon
B. Investigation: Data Tables & Teeth
Directions:
Part 1
1. Practice identifying megalodon shark teeth compared to other shark species in Figure 1 Identifying Megalodon fossil teeth. Use the Field Guide (Key to the Fossil Sharks of the
Gatun Formation), and this online field gudie on shark teeth
(http://www.stri.si.edu/english/kids/sharks/dientes.html) to assist you in the identification.
2. Use the Data Table 1 to record the ID #’s for each shark tooth specimen you identify. In
addition, discuss with your group/partner and record your justification (evidence) for why
you identified those teeth belonging to that shark species. Your evidence is based from
the Field Guide, online resource, and can include your observations in matching the
specimen shape, sharpness, shading and/or other similar observations you make.
3. Complete Part 1 Analysis Questions.
Part 2
4. Of the teeth in Figure 4, identify which specimens are complete and will allow for an
accurate measurement of Crown Height (CH) and Crown Width (CW). Use Figure 3 of the
“Investigation: Tools” document to help identify which Megalodon teeth specimens are
complete. Draw an “X” over the specimen(s) that are not complete (i.e. cracked, broken).
5. Cut the ruler out if needed.
6. Use Figure 2 to help you identify the location in the jaw the remaining teeth are from.
This can be a very difficult step, try to be as accurate as possible.
7. As you identify each specimen’s position in the jaw, record the specimens ID number and
location in Data Table 2.
8. Measure the CH & CW in mm and record in Data Table 2.
9. Use a blue pen, plot the intersection of each specimen’s CH & CW in Figure 5 & 6.
10.Complete Part 2 Analysis Questions.
Data Table 1
Lesson 2 - Megalodon
B. Investigation: Data Tables & Teeth
Title: _____________________________________
Shark Species Name
Lemon shark
Specimen ID#
identified as this
shark species
Justification for the species determination (what
evidence and characteristics lead you to your
conclusions?)
EX: 18,
EX: #18 - narrow base/”root” of tooth, tooth sticks straight up, perpendicular,
from “root” of tooth, whereas many other species teeth are curved.
Tiger shark
Snaggletooth shark
Caribbean reef shark
Hammerhead shark
Dusky shark
Bull shark
Ray plates
Megalodon shark
Data Table 2
Lesson 2 - Megalodon
B. Investigation: Data Tables & Teeth
Title: ___________________________________
Specimen ID #
Jaw Position
Crown Height (CH) mm
Crown Width (CW) mm
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ This rule may not be scale to an actual cm, however it is sized appropriately so that 1cm is equivalent to the scale in Figure 2. Figure 1 - Identifying megalodon fossil teeth
Lesson 2 - Megalodon
B. Investigation: Data Tables & Teeth
Part 1 Analysis Questions ● Describe two distinct characteristics of the Megalodon shark teeth that are different in comparison to the other
shark teeth.
●
What characteristics can you predict about a shark by its teeth?
●
Could you accurately determine the age or life stage (baby, juvenile, or adult) of the megalodon shark that one of
these teeth came from? Why or why not?
Figure 4 - Measuring Gatun megalodon teeth for CH & CW
Lesson 2 - Megalodon
B. Investigation: Data Tables & Teeth
Lesson 2 - Megalodon
B. Investigation: Data Tables & Teeth
Figure 5 - Megalodon Teeth Life Stage Comparison
Figure 6 - Megalodon Teeth Dig Site Comparison
Part 2 Analysis Questions
1. Describe where in the graph the Gatun data points in Figure 5 are ?
2. What can you infer about the life cycle stage of the Gatun shark specimens?
3. Looking at Figure 6, how do the size of tooth specimens from the Gatun differ from other locations?
4. With these data and analysis, can you conclude the size and age of the sharks found in the Gatun Formation?