Venustodus argutus

Venustodus argutus is known from isolated teeth that are quite common in the Upper Mississippian of the midcontinental U.S. Two whole, unpublished Bear Gulch specimens are under study. Their teeth are of unusual curvature and cusp pattern, with several basal ridges around the crown of each tooth. The dentition is highly heterodont. This common Upper Mississippian tooth does not pertain to the petalodonts, with which it has been lumped. The teeth lack the extended lingual heel and lingually directed root characteristic of all petalodonts. The scale is in mm.

Reference:

• St. John, O.H., and A.H. Worthen. 1875. "Descriptions of Fossil Fishes." Geological Survey of Illinois 6: 245-488. (Plate 9, figs. 5 & 6.)

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