THE OLDEST SCLERORHYNCHID SAWFISH (RAJIFORMES, SCLERORHYNCHIDAE) FROMTHE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF TEXAS

The earliest known oral teeth of the sclerorhynchid sawfish, Onchopris tis sp., are reported from the Early Cretaceous of Central Texas. Thes e teeth were recovered from the uppermost Glen Rose Formation of the T rinity Group. In addition to the sawfish teeth, this bed contains a co ncentration of disarticulated fish remains, selachian teeth and dentic les, crocodile teeth, and plant remains. Previous reports place the ea rliest occurrence of sclerorhynchids in the overlying Fredericksburg G roup. These teeth move the earliest known occurrence of sclerorhynchid sawfish back several million years.