Giant Ptychodus Shark Fossil Found in Mexico, Revealing Hidden Secrets

LIMA – Fossil discovery The well-preserved remains of an extinct group of giant sharks in Mexico have opened new opportunities to solve the mystery surrounding these ancient creatures.

Like what they looked like, what they hunted, and how they evolved into modern sharks.

This giant shark, known as Ptychodus, lived in the Cretaceous period (around 105 to 75 million years ago) and is thought to have had a body length of up to 10 meters (33 feet).

As reported by IFL Science, Friday (26/4/2024), their fossils have been found on all continents except Antarctica.

Although first reported in 1729, the genus Ptychodus remains one of the most puzzling fossil elasmobranchs (a group that includes sharks, skates, and rays). Many strange teeth have been discovered, but more detailed fossils, showing cranial and post-cranial skeletal elements, are extremely rare and complete specimens have never been reported before.

However, new research describing a complete specimen from the early Late Cretaceous of Mexico, including a preserved body skeleton, has changed everything. This discovery provides important information about Ptychodus and its mysterious lifestyle.

According to the study authors, this new complete skeleton “helps solve a long-standing puzzle of Ptychodus” and answers questions that have existed for nearly two centuries about its anatomy, relationships with other species, and predatory behavior.

Phylogenetic and ecomorphological analyzes indicate that Ptychodus was indeed a giant. Researchers estimate its maximum body length was 9.7 meters (31.8 feet) with a jaw length of 1.9 meters (6.2 feet). By comparison, the largest living durophagous sharks – sharks that feed on hard-shelled organisms such as coral, shelled molluscs, or crabs – are only 2.5 to 3.5 meters (8.2 to 11.5 feet) long. Overall, the researchers concluded that Ptychodus “was probably the largest durophagous shark ever.”

The discovery also suggests that this elusive elasmobranch is a fast-swimming predator, belonging to the group of mackerel sharks (Lamniformes), which also includes great white sharks.