Oldest known Modern Shark as a Mega Predator
A gigantic 8 m long mega-predatory shark stalks an unwary long-necked plesiosaur in the seas off Australia 115 million years ago.
Credit: Polyanna von Knorring, Swedish Museum of Natural History
Scientists have uncovered evidence of a colossal shark that lived off northern Australia about 115 million years ago, revealing that modern shark lineages grew to immense sizes far earlier than expected.
Rare vertebrae from rocks once part of the ancient Tethys ocean show that this early lamniform predator shared the seas with giant marine reptiles during the Age of Dinosaurs.
Vertebrae Reveal a Massive Early Cardabiodontid
Five vertebrae were recovered, each partially mineralized, which helped them survive through time. Their shape closely matches the vertebrae of modern Great White sharks.
However, while adult Great Whites typically have vertebrae about 8 cm wide, the vertebrae from the Darwin specimen measured more than 12 cm across.
Their distinctive features identify them as part of the cardabiodontid group, which consists of huge predatory sharks that lived around 100 million years ago. The Darwin shark is especially significant because it appears to be about 15 million years older than other known cardabiodontids and had already reached the large body size characteristic of the group...
