Stingray Fossils | Aurora Fossil Museum

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Thirteen guitarfish, sawfish, skate, and ray species have been discovered in the neighboring phosphate mine.



The most common ray fossils found belong to Order Rajiformes (guitarfish, skates, and stingrays). Lesser common species of the Order Pristiformes (sawfish) also occur.



Pristiformes (priss-tea-forms): Comprise the sawfish. They are characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum (snout), lined with sharp teeth that resemble a saw.



Rajiformes (rah-gee-forms): Are flattened cartilaginous fish that include the guitarfish, skates, and rays.



Below is a list of Pristiformes and Rajiformes recorded in the Lee Creek faunal assemblage. Common names, if available, are listed as well.

Order Pristiformes
     Family Pristidae (sawfish)
        Pristis sp.
        Pristis cf. P. pectinatus

Order Rajiformes
     Family Dasyatidae (stingray)
        Dasyatis say
        Dasyatis centroura
        Dasyatis cf. D. americana
     Family Myliobatidae
        Aetobatus sp. (eagle ray)
        Mobula sp. (manta ray)
        Plinthicus stenodon (eagle ray)
        Pteromylaeus sp. (bull ray)
        Rhinoptera sp. (cownose ray)
     Family Rajidae (skate)
        Raja sp.
     Family Rhinobatidae (guitarfish)
        Rhinobatos sp.

Of the many stingray specimens discovered in the neighboring phosphate mine, the most notable is an Eagle Ray, (Aetobatus sp.) upper dental battery found by George W. Powell, Jr. This specimen is the largest and most complete Eagle Ray specimen of its kind discovered in the neighboring phosphate mine.



Casts of this remarkable dentition are on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. and at the Aurora Fossil Museum.



Reference:
   •Purdy, Robert W. et al 2001 "The Neogene Sharks, Rays and Bony Fishes from Lee Creek Mine, Aurora, North Carolina" Geology and Paleontology of the Lee Creek Mine, North Carolina III, Clayton Ray & David Bohaska eds., Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology, No.90; Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC, pp.71, 89-97.

Related Links

  • Shark Fossils
  • Cetacean Fossils
  • Shark Dentitions
  • Shark Tooth Identification
  • Megalodon
  • Lee Creek Parotodus