Palaeocarcharias

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Palaeocarcharias
Temporal range: Middle-Late Jurassic Bathonian–Tithonian
Palaeocarcharias stromeri.JPG
Palaeocarcharias stromeri 7243.jpg
Specimens of P. stromeri from the Upper Jurassic of Germany
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Division: Selachii
Superorder: Galeomorphi
Genus: Palaeocarcharias
Beaumont, 1960
Species:
P. stromeri
Binomial name
Palaeocarcharias stromeri
Beaumont, 1960

Palaeocarcharias is an extinct genus of shark, known from the Jurassic of Europe. It has only a single named species, Palaeocarcharias stromeri, which is known from exceptionally preserved specimens from the Late Jurassic (Tithonian) of Germany (Solnhofen Limestone) and France (Canjuers Lagerstatte). Isolated teeth of indeterminate species from England (White Limestone Formation, and possibly the Forest Marble and Taynton Limestone) extend the range of the genus back to the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian). [1] Morphologically, it closely resembles carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes), [2] and is around 1 metre (3.3 ft) in total body length. [3] However, it shares greater similarities in tooth development with mackerel sharks (Lamniformes), including the absence of orthodentine, and has been suggested to the earliest known member of the Lamniformes or a member of a sister group to the Lamniformes. [4] [2] A 2018 study suggested that should be classified as the sole member of the order Palaeocarchariiformes, [4] but a subsequent 2023 study questioned this and favoured placement in Lamniformes. [1] A 2024 study of a specimen from Canjuers suggested that as that it was in fact a true carpet shark, perhaps a member of Orectolobidae (the wobbegongs). [5]

References

  1. 1 2 Villalobos-Segura, Eduardo; Stumpf, Sebastian; Türtscher, Julia; Jambura, Patrick; Begat, Arnaud; López-Romero, Faviel; Fischer, Jan; Kriwet, Jürgen (2023-03-08). "A Synoptic Review of the Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) from the Upper Jurassic Konservat-Lagerstätten of Southern Germany: Taxonomy, Diversity, and Faunal Relationships". Diversity. 15 (3): 386. doi: 10.3390/d15030386 . ISSN   1424-2818. PMC   7614348 . PMID   36950327.
  2. 1 2 Jambura, Patrick L.; Kindlimann, René; López-Romero, Faviel; Marramà, Giuseppe; Pfaff, Cathrin; Stumpf, Sebastian; Türtscher, Julia; Underwood, Charlie J.; Ward, David J.; Kriwet, Jürgen (2019-07-04). "Micro-computed tomography imaging reveals the development of a unique tooth mineralization pattern in mackerel sharks (Chondrichthyes; Lamniformes) in deep time". Scientific Reports. 9 (1): 9652. Bibcode:2019NatSR...9.9652J. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46081-3 . ISSN   2045-2322. PMC   6609643 . PMID   31273249.
  3. Shimada, Kenshu; Becker, Martin A.; Griffiths, Michael L. (2021-11-02). "Body, jaw, and dentition lengths of macrophagous lamniform sharks, and body size evolution in Lamniformes with special reference to 'off-the-scale' gigantism of the megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon" . Historical Biology. 33 (11): 2543–2559. Bibcode:2021HBio...33.2543S. doi:10.1080/08912963.2020.1812598. ISSN   0891-2963. S2CID   224935604.
  4. 1 2 Landemaine, Olivier; Thies, Detlev; Waschkewitz, Jens (2018-11-01). "The Late Jurassic shark Palaeocarcharias (Elasmobranchii, Selachimorpha) – functional morphology of teeth, dermal cephalic lobes and phylogenetic position" . Palaeontographica Abteilung A. 312 (5–6): 103–165. Bibcode:2018PalAA.312..103L. doi:10.1127/0375-0442/2018/0000/0085. S2CID   146540287.
  5. Guinot, Guillaume; Vullo, Romain; Peyer, Karin; Reneleau, Vincent (January 2025). "An articulated skeleton of the neoselachian shark Palaeocarcharias from the Late Jurassic Canjuers Lagerstätte (southeastern France)" . Annales de Paléontologie. 111 (1): 102738. doi:10.1016/j.annpal.2024.102738.