Khouribgaleus gomphorhiza
Khouribgaleus gomphorhiza
Common name
Hound shark
Fossil group
Sharks & Rays
Order
Carcharhiniformes
Family
Triakidae
Genus
Khouribgaleus
Taxonomic status
Accepted
Geological age
Thanetian
Summary
Khouribgaleus gomphorhiza was a small extinct triakid hound shark formerly placed in Galeorhinus. It is known principally from isolated teeth and represents part of the diverse small carcharhiniform shark fauna of the early Palaeogene.
Its dentition was suited to grasping and cutting relatively small prey.
Quick Identification
Look for: a small hound-shark tooth with an oblique triangular main cusp, a low distal shoulder or cusplet and a broad bilobed root; use the complete crown-root proportions because worn teeth overlap with other triakids.
Diagnostic Features
- The principal cusp is triangular and distinctly inclined distally.
- The mesial cutting edge is long relative to the shorter distal side of the crown.
- A low distal heel or weak distal cusplet may be developed.
- The crown is broader and lower than the tall piercing teeth of lamniform sharks.
- The root is broad and bilobed with a central nutritive region.
Fossil Details
Typical size
Teeth are small, usually only a few millimetres across.
Fossil material
Tooth
Preservation
The distal heel and root margins are readily damaged. Worn teeth can overlap with Palaeogaleus and other small triakids, so complete basal morphology is important.
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
Beltinge Fish Bed
Upnor Formation
Confirmed
Synonyms & Previous Names
Galeorhinus gomphorhiza
References
- Dineley, D. & Metcalf, S. (1999). Fossil Fishes of Great Britain. Geological Conservation Review Series, 675 pp.. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough View reference
- Ward, D.J. (1978). The Lower London Tertiary (Palaeocene) succession of Herne Bay, Kent. Report of the Institute of Geological Sciences. Institute of Geological Sciences View reference
- Ward, D.J. (1980). The distribution of sharks, rays and chimaeroids in the English Palaeogene. Tertiary Research, 3(1), 13–19 View reference
Last Reviewed
22 August 2026
Reviewed by
Sam Harris