3.45" Cretaceous Shark (Hybodus) Dorsal Spine - Morocco

This
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine.  Image under GNU Free Documentation License
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine. Image under GNU Free Documentation License
is a nice dorsal spine of the extinct Cretaceous aged shark Hybodus. These large spines helped to support the dorsal fins of the shark.

This is a really nice specimen with only one repaired crack near the tip. These spines are fragile so they are almost always fractured and most you see for sale are either heavily restored or composites.

Hybodus was a small shark that grew up to 2 meters in length and was likely an opportunistic predator. It had a streamlined shape ideal for hunting down fast prey and two different types of teeth: sharp cutting teeth for catching prey and flatter grinding teeth for crushing. This combination may have been the key to Hybodus' success.

A paper on Hybodus spines can be found below.

Growth And Form of Finspines In Hybodont Sharks

A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine.  Image under GNU Free Documentation License
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine. Image under GNU Free Documentation License
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Hybodus sp.
LOCATION
Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Kem Kem Beds
SIZE
3.45" long
CATEGORY
ITEM
#81162
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.