Shark Tooth Identification
(a database for determining genus, and software for help determining species)
STID2 (NJ Fossil Edition) - possibly useful for DE, MD, NC, and VA states also!
Created by Rob L. Dey 4/30/2009
Updated 3/6/2011 RLD v1.00

WARNING: Use this tool at your own risk! This web-based application is experimental. Although we are continually working to improve this online software and database, you should never expect flawless results from it!

FEATURES:
* database is continually being expanded, and already contains more than 8+ orders, 30+ families, 75+ genera, and 150+ species of extinct (prehistoric) and extant (living) sharks.
* includes data for shark teeth sizes ranging from below 0.080 inches and up to 8.000 inches.
* provides an on-screen ruler for measuring specimen sizes in the field.
* supports most common web browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer 7/8+, Mozilla Firefox 3.6/4+, Google Chrome 7/8+, Opera 10.63/11+, and Apple Safari 4/5+.
* utilizes only simple web technologies (HTML and JavaScript) to allow remote operation from many different Internet devices, including portable netbook, laptop, and tablet PCs, cellphones, PDAs, E-readers, and gaming consoles.
* intuitive graphical user interface permits easy data entry for fast results.
* choose between US/Imperial and SI/Metric units of measure (in inches or millimeters).
* more than 34-Trillion different combinations of tooth design and size definitions are possible currently with room for future expansion.

WEB APPLICATION & DATABASE NOTES:
1. This STID2 software and database is intended for preliminary identification of isolated shark teeth only.
2. Teeth of batoids and other fishes are excluded.
3. In some cases, web research and images are used to identify exact species after genus is determined.
4. The fossil edition of this STID2 software and database only has the genera from fossil records.
5. Use the fossil edition for help identifying fossil shark teeth only (greater than 10,000 years old). It is not intended for modern shark teeth.
6. While the genus may not be extinct, the actual species identified later could be extinct.
7. Very rare genera that became extinct before the Cretaceous period (Devonian-Jurassic) are excluded.
8. The state editions of this STID2 software and database include both coastal and palegic sharks.
9. The common name is typically provided for the generic name, but not always for the specific name.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Scroll down and select options preferred.
2. Enter length of tooth specimen. If needed, use on-screen ruler.
3. Answer all questions.
3. Click on Submit button.
4. View results.
5. If necessary, take further actions described.

OPERATING TIPS:
1. The STID2 web application can be accessed from numerous portable and wireless Internet devices such as mobile (cell) phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and E-readers. You can use the web browser on most personal computers (desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablets, etc.) and many video gaming systems to operate this tool as well.
2. Place the mouse cursor over images for additional help.
3. Ignore questions that are not applicable. For example, if asked specific details about cusplets, but none exist, simply move on to the next question, while accepting the default value already selected. Usually the second answer (B) is the default.
4. If you change the species website while viewing results already, you must click on the Submit button to create new species links.
5. Disabling the SmartCompare feature for development purposes permits locating an exact match of both (crown and root) hex codes within the database. However, this intelligent comparison algorithm is required for normal software operation.
6. The on-screen ruler feature is very accurate, usually well within 1.4% maximum error on LCD (liquid-crystal display) and LED (light-emitting diode) types of digital displays. However, CRT (cathode-ray tube) types of analog monitors often exhibit nonlinearity, which causes inconsistent dimensions across the screen. A standard-sized business card measures 3.5" x 2.0", so you can pull one from your wallet or purse to check the precision of the two-inch on-screen ruler. Some web browsers may not display the ruler image clearly.

DISCLAIMER:
The STID2 software and database is experimental and was created primarily for amateur paleontologists. It is not intended for professional scientific use. Based upon tooth design only, the database and software cannot assure perfectly accurate identification results. Information entered should be based upon a single tooth specimen that is in excellent condition only. Severely worn and damaged specimens will almost certainly cause erroneous identification results. Furthermore, transitional teeth, juvenile or immature teeth, parasymphyseal or posterior teeth, and pathological (abnormal) teeth may not be properly identified with this tool. This application is most useful for identifying typical specimens of upper and lower anterior, intermediate, and lateral shark teeth. Use this software and database at your own risk. The STID2 web application is for personal, non-commercial use only. This tool is not guaranteed to be error free.

TERMINOLOGY:
Anterior - Placed before or in front.
Distal – Toward rear or backward.
Labial – Near lip (flatest face of crown).
Lateral – Located on side or positioned sideways.
Lingual – Near tongue (roundest face of crown).
Mesial – Toward front or forward.
Posterior - Placed behind or in back.
Serrated - Having a saw-toothed edge.
Striated - Having surface wrinkles, ridges, or folds.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Rob L. Dey
Nat Radio Co.
P.O. Box 1849
Point Pleasant, NJ 08742-1849 USA
http://www.natradioco.com/stid2/
stid2@natradioco.com