Two shark species new to science that lived more than 325 million years ago were recently discovered, the National Park Service announced Thursday.
The discovery was made through the Paleontological Resources Inventory at Mammoth Cave National Park in southern Kentucky.
Using fossils collected at Mammoth Cave and in northern Alabama, PRI researchers identified the shark species Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum.
Troglocladodus trimblei is believed to have grown to about 10-12 feet long, or about the size of an oceanic whale tip shark, according to the NPS. It is identified using adult and juvenile teeth.
Glikmanius careforum is believed to be the same size at 10-12 feet long, the NPS said. It was identified using teeth found in Mammoth Cave and Alabama, along with a partial set of jaws and gills found in Mammoth Cave.
Finding shark fossils in what are now landlocked areas may seem puzzling. However, the NPS says that Kentucky and Alabama were once covered by water, becoming part of an ancient sea more than 325 million years ago.
Two new-to-science shark species that lived more than 325 million years ago have been discovered recently. FOX Weather PRI researchers identified the shark species Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum. Weather FOX One of the species was identified using teeth found in Mammoth Cave and Alabama. FOX Weather
This sea route connects what is now eastern North America, Europe and northern Africa. This maritime route eventually disappeared when all the continents merged to form the supercontinent Pangea, the NPS said.
Because of this oceanic past, Troglocladodus trimblei and Glikmanius careforum are not the only ancient shark species identified in the region.
Mammoth Cave National Park officials announced in October the discovery of Strigilodus tollesonae, an extinct shark species more closely related to modern ratfish than modern sharks and rays.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
