A recently found crocodylian tooth crown from the basal conglomerate of the Middle Paleocene (Selandian) Lellinge Greensand Formation, differs morphologically from other finds of crocodylian teeth from the Paleocene of southern Scandinavia. The tooth is conical and blunt with a narrow rounded apex, and slightly curved along the axis of its length.
The morphology of the tooth suggests it belongs to either the longirostrine eusuchian Aigialosuchus, which is known from the Campanian of southern Sweden, or to a member of the Alligatoridae which are the most common crocodylians in northern Europe in the Late Cretaceous. Gavialoid crocodylians, in particular Thoracosaurus which is known from the Danian limestome of the Limhamn quarry in southern Sweden and from the Faxe quarry in eastern Denmark, can be excluded because of their deviating tooth morphology.
Regardless of its assignment, the tooth is interesting in a stratigraphic context as it demonstrates the existence of at least two crocodylian taxa in Scandinavia during the Early and Middle Paleocene.
Relevance of innovative course modules for teaching tooth morphology in today's scenario
