Jobaria

Jobaria tiguidensis teeth, originating from the Middle Jurassic (approx. 165–167 million years ago) Tiouraren Formation in the Agadez region of Niger, are rare fossils featuring a distinct spoon-shaped (spatulate) morphology.

These large herbivores possessed these specialized teeth for stripping leaves from branches, with specimens often found displaying minimal wear.

Key details regarding Jobaria teeth from Niger: Physical Characteristics: The teeth are generally spoon-shaped or spatulate, adapted for foraging. They are often found in lengths around 1.00 inch to 2.5 inch.

Location and Age: Fossils are primarily found in the Tiouraren Formation in the Agadez region of the Sahara Desert, Niger. They date back to the Middle Jurassic period (Bathonian stage), not the Cretaceous as once thought.

Discovery: The dinosaur was identified by Paul Sereno's team in 1997, with significant, relatively complete skeletons found in the area.

Dietary Function: As part of a basal macronarian sauropod, Jobaria used these teeth to browse on vegetation, possibly using their necks and teeth to strip leaves.

Comparison: Unlike the numerous, delicate, pencil-like teeth of Nigersaurus, Jobaria teeth are robust and less numerous.

Note: While many sauropod teeth from this region are attributed to Jobaria, some found by collectors are labeled more generally as Eusauropoda or cf. Jobaria.