1.   Examining fish teeth from the South Pacific as well as other locations in the South Atlantic should clarify whether the new interpretation is correct.

2.   Fossil fish teeth, like this one greatly magnified, are actually about one-fortieth of an inch long.

3.   From fossilized fish teeth the size of sand grains, scientists hope to deduce a sweeping shift of deep ocean currents millions of years ago.

4.   Mixed in with the muck is an occasional fossil fish tooth, about one-fortieth of an inch long.