4.4" Partial Hybodus Shark Dorsal Spine - Cretaceous

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. There are a couple of crack repairs in the spine.

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
Harding County, South Dakota
FORMATION
Hell Creek Formation
SIZE
4.4" long
CATEGORY
ITEM
#61457
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.