Callorhinchus regulbiensis
Callorhinchus regulbiensis
Common name
Chimaeroid
Fossil group
Sharks & Rays
Order
Chimaeriformes
Family
Callorhinchidae
Genus
Callorhinchus
Taxonomic status
Accepted
Geological age
Thanetian
Summary
Callorhinchus regulbiensis was an extinct chimaeroid related to living elephant fishes. Instead of replaceable shark-like teeth it possessed persistent dental plates that grew through life and carried specialised crushing surfaces.
The plates indicate a demersal feeder capable of processing hard or resistant prey.
Quick Identification
Look for: a chimaeroid dental plate rather than a separate tooth, with a defined plate outline and organised tritor surfaces; identify the plate position before attempting a species name.
Diagnostic Features
- The fossil is a continuous dental plate rather than a replaceable individual tooth.
- Tritor tissue forms discrete crushing surfaces within the plate.
- Palatine and mandibular plates have different outlines and must be compared separately.
- Plate margins and symphyseal geometry are important identification characters.
- Species-level identification requires enough of the plate to preserve both tritor arrangement and overall outline.
Fossil Details
Typical size
Dental plates are centimetre-scale; dimensions vary strongly with plate position, growth stage and completeness.
Fossil material
Tooth Plate
Preservation
Tritor-bearing fragments can survive when the surrounding plate is broken away. Such chips should remain at genus or chimaeroid level unless plate position and outline can be reconstructed.
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
Beltinge Fish Bed
Upnor Formation
Confirmed
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. (1973). The English Palaeogene Chimaeroid fishes. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 84(3), 315–330 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
15 August 2026
Reviewed by
Sam Harris