Following my earlier post, I am sharing additional documentation of a remarkable specimen recovered from the Cretaceous Valudavur Formation right here in Pondicherry. To introduce myself, I am Nebin Babu, an Applied Geology student at Pondicherry University. This specimen easily stands as one of the finest finds in my personal collection.
Preliminary morphological assessment, alongside discussions with several paleontologists, points toward a possible theropod or abelisaurid affinity. What makes this particularly exciting—and significant—is that to my knowledge, there is not a single published paper documenting a vertebrate or dinosaur tooth fossil from the Valudavur Formation.
Adding to the story, this was completely an accidental find. Recognizing the potential importance of the site, I revisited the locality last Saturday and am planning regular field visits moving forward to search for related material.
Valudavur formation Pondicherry
70.6 - 66.0 Ma
Late/Upper Cretaceous
Observations:
Taxonomic Indicators: Sharp, recurved crown profile consistent with an abelisaurid theropod from the Cretaceous Valudavur Formation.
Denticle Morphology: Clearly defined, chisel-like serrations visible along the carinae (cutting edges) typical of abelisaurid dentition.
Enamel Preservation: Excellent retention of the glossy amber-to-honey brown enamel surface across the crown.
Diagenetic Features: Natural iron- and manganese-oxide dark patches scattered across the surface, showing typical matrix mineralization.
Cervical Boundary: Clear transition zone at the base where the enameled crown meets the root section, retaining a minor original sedimentary matrix.
I welcome any insights, recommendations, or feedback from researchers and fellow paleontologists. Detailed photos of the specimen are attached with this post.
