First in situ documentation of a fossil tooth of the megatooth shark Otodus (Megaselachus) megalodon from the deep sea in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

In this short communication, we describe the first reported case of an in-situ observation and subsequent sampling of a fossil Otodus megalodon tooth from a deep-sea locality in the Pacific Ocean (14.11332°N, 167.39357°W; 3090 m depth). The additional documentation of its location prior to collection allows for tentative conclusions on surrounding factors leading to its current state, such as sedimentation rate and manganese encrusting.