This Specimen has been sold.
Large 7.5" Hybodus Shark Dorsal Spine - Cretaceous
This
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine. Image under GNU Free Documentation License
is a large dorsal spine of the extinct Cretaceous aged shark Hybodus. These large spines helped to support the dorsal fins of the shark.
It's pretty rare to find the spines as complete as this one, and most of them on the market are composites of multiple partial spines. There is one repaired crack about 1/4 of the way from the tip, and the tip is restored.
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine. Image under GNU Free Documentation License
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 paper on Hybodus spines can be found below.
Growth And Form of Finspines In Hybodont Sharks
It's pretty rare to find the spines as complete as this one, and most of them on the market are composites of multiple partial spines. There is one repaired crack about 1/4 of the way from the tip, and the tip is restored.
SPECIES
Hybodus sp
LOCATION
Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Kem Kem Beds
SIZE
7.5" long
CATEGORY
ITEM
#23097
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