Albian and Cenomanian selachian assemblages from North East England.

Abstract

Bulk sampling of the marls and marly limestones of the Hunstanton Formation (Red Chalk) and associated deposits at two sites in north-east England has yielded rich and diverse assemblages of small selachians, largely represented by dissociated teeth. This fauna contains over 35 taxa and is dominated by small to very small nectobenthic forms. A large proportion of these are new, and five new species are described: Protosqualus pachyrhiza sp. nov., Pseudospinax heterodon sp. nov, Cretorectolobus gracilis sp. nov., Parasymbolus reticularis sp. nov. and Pteroscyllium ornatum sp. nov. Cretascyliorhinus gen. nov., is erected for Scyliorhinus destombesi Cappetta and related forms. The earliest records of Squalus and the Etmopterinae are noted. The fauna is considered a specialist low-nutrient selachian fauna probably confined to the North Sea Basin

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