Scapanorhynchus
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| Scapanorhynchus rhaphiodon | |
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Scapanorhynchus
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Scapanorhynchus ("Spade Snout") is an extinct genus of shark from the Cretaceous period. Their extreme similarities to the living goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni, lead some experts[1] [2] to consider reclassifying it as Scapanorhynchus owstoni. However, most shark specialists regard the goblin shark to be distinct enough from its prehistoric relatives to merit placement in its own genus.
Scapanorhynchus had an elongated, albeit flattened snout and sharp awl-shaped teeth ideal for seizing fish, or tearing chunks of flesh from its prey. It was a small shark normally measuring about 65 cm, though the largest species, S. texanus, is thought to have reached up to 3 m (10 ft) in length, about the size of a modern goblin shark.[3][4]
References
- ↑ Mikko's Phylogeny Archive
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/evolution/evol_lamnoids.htm
- Case, G and Schwimmer, D., 1998. Late Cretaceous fish from the Blufftown Formation (Campanian) in Western Georgia. Journal of Paleontology., 62(2). pp 290-301.
- Kent, B., 1994. Fossil Sharks of the Chesapeake Region. Egan Rees & Boyer, Maryland. 146 pp
External links
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