Abstract
WHEN the teeth of the various rows in the jaw of Carcharias melanopterus at different ages are compared, one observes an exposed row of teeth slightly smaller than the unerupted ones behind it, and incomplete hindermost rows of what appear to be vestigial remains of teeth which can never come into use. Mr. G. P. Whitley, of the Australian Museum, has kindly referred me to Gudger and Smith's memoir1 on “the most primitive shark”, Chlamydoselachus, and notes “unfortunately the problem of their replacement has not been touched upon, else considerable light might have been thrown on the matter. From fossil sharks too there are no apparent data on this point”.
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Gudger, E. W., and Smith, B. G., "Natural History of the Frilled Shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus", Bashford Dean Memorial Volume, Art. 5, No. 23, 277 (1933).
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CAWSTON, F. Normal Dentition of Sharks. Nature 142, 878 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/142878b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/142878b0
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