Description

Typothorax coccinarum
Archosaur
Late Triassic
Bull Canyon Formation
Quay County, New Mexico, USA

Very rare 30mm rooted aetosaur tooth.

Typothorax is a genus of aetosaur, a herbivorous pseudosuchian distantly related to modern crocodilians, known from the Triassic of North America.

Typothorax was armored with scutes along its back, sides, and underbelly with spikes on its tail.  It appears to have had adaptations for digging.  Its most common remains are isolated scutes but occasionally teeth, spikes and bones are found.

Collectors like rooted teeth. Here’s one of a very unusual Triassic reptile in matrix.