Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of obruchevodid petalodont (petal teeth) sharks from multiple teeth excavated in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, USA.
Provisional reconstruction of Clavusodens McGinnisi (Modified later) netsepoye) Farming leaf-like crustaceans on the seabed of a crinoid forest from a Joppa member of STE. Genevieve layer with ctenacanth Glikmanius Careforum Overhead swimming. Image credit: Benji Paysnoe/NPS illustration.
The newly identified shark species is believed to have swum in the Carboniferous oceans 340 million years ago.
It belongs to the family obruchevodidae, in the order of extinct cartilage fish called petalodontiformes.
Scientifically named Clavusodens McGinnisi, the shark measured only 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) in length.
“Clavusodens McGinnisi,” said Dr. John Paul Hodnett and his fellow Ph.D., “was named the ‘chipmunk shark’ due to its small size and flea-like front teeth, with crushing teeth on its back. Members of the Obruchevodidae were 8-10 cm long.”
“Their small size allowed them to avoid larger predators as they foraged crustaceans, insects, and small brachiopods found along the seabed.”
Small teeth of Clavusodens McGinnisi were found throughout the STE. Genevieve Formation Rock Formation in Mammoth Cave National Park.
The rocks are made up of limestone and shale, forming at the bottom of a warm sea reef.
The majority of fossilized sharks can be found in rock formations made from invertebrate hash beds, skeletal blasts, corals, gastropods, and brachiopod shells.
No shark fossils were known from STE prior to discoveries made in the Mammoth Cave over the past few years.
To date, more than 70 species of sharks and other fish have been identified from this geological formation, including four new species.
“The discovery of the Mammoth Caves continues to reveal a wealth of new information about ancient shark species,” added Principal Berkle Limble, Mammoth Caves National Park.
“Researchers and volunteers have collected samples from major mammoth cave systems and small isolated caves throughout the park, providing new data on previously known ancient sharks, revealing some species that are perfect for science.”
Discovery of Clavusodens McGinnisi was reported in a paper in Journal of Paleontology.
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John Paul M. Hodnett et al. Petalodons (Condrissy, Petalodontifolioum, obruchevodidae) from Joppa members in central Mississippi (Vissian). Genevieve Formation in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA Journal of PaleontologyPublished online on February 24th, 2025. doi: 10.1017/jpa.2024.40
Source: www.sci.news
