Two-inch long fossilized teeth expose new species of prehistoric shark

Image for representational purpose only

New Delhi: An international team of researchers have identified a new species of extinct shark that lived about 20 million years ago. Researchers have discovered five of its two-inch long teeth from different parts of world- California, North Carolina, Peru, and Japan.

The findings suggests that the new extinct shark, dubbed as Megalolamna paradoxodon, was about 13-feet long and lived in shallow-water, shelf-type, coastal environments. The species had grasping-type front teeth and cutting-type rear teeth (up to 1.8 inches, or 4.5 cm, tall) likely used to seize and slice medium-sized fish, according to Sci News.

The study, published online in the journal Historical Biology reveals that the newly discovered species of shark belongs to a a group called Lamniformes. 'It's quite remarkable that such a large lamniform shark with such a global distribution had evaded recognition until now, especially because there are numerous Miocene localities where fossil shark teeth are well sampled,' said Professor Shimada, lead author of the study.

This study was jointly conducted by the researchers of the University of Hong Kong, the Natural History Museum, London and North Carolina State University.