Strophodus

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Strophodus
Temporal range: Middle Triassic–Hauterivian
Strophodus tooth.png
Jaw fragment of Strophodus atlasensis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Hybodontiformes
Family: Acrodontidae
Genus: Strophodus
Agassiz, 1838
Species

See text

Strophodus is an extinct genus of durophagous hybodont known from the Triassic to Cretaceous. It was formerly confused with Asteracanthus.

Contents

Taxonomy

It has long been confused with Asteracanthus due to the fin spines of the latter being found associated with the teeth of Strophodus. However, both genera can now be reliably be distinguished base on the morphology of both the fin spines and teeth. [1] [2]

Description

Teeth of Strophodus rebecae Strophodus.png
Teeth of Strophodus rebecae

Species of Strophodus had heavily rounded, durophagous crushing teeth, contrasting strongly with those of Asteracanthus, which are much more similar to those of Hybodus . Species of Strophodus have been estimated to reach up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length, making them some of the largest hybodonts. [3] Like Asteracanthus, but unlike other hybodonts, the fin spines of Strophodus are covered in tubercles rather than being ribbed. [2]

Ecology

Life reconstruction of Strophodus rebecae with associated fauna found in the Rosa Blanca Formation Strophodus rebecae.png
Life reconstruction of Strophodus rebecae with associated fauna found in the Rosa Blanca Formation

Strophodus has been interpreted as a bottom-dwelling animal that fed on hard-shelled invertebrates, though isotopic evidence has suggested that it may have been pelagic. It may also have been euryhaline. [3]

Species

Species of Strophodus: [1]

Indeterminate remains of Strophodus possibly extend into the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous. Claimed records of the genus from the Late Cretaceous are doubtful. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Carrillo-Briceño, Jorge D.; Cadena, Edwin-Alberto (2022-06-02). "A new hybodontiform shark (Strophodus Agassiz 1838) from the Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian-Hauterivian) of Colombia". PeerJ. 10: e13496. doi: 10.7717/peerj.13496 . ISSN   2167-8359. PMC   9167585 . PMID   35673391.
  2. 1 2 Stumpf, Sebastian; López-Romero, Faviel A.; Kindlimann, René; Lacombat, Frederic; Pohl, Burkhard; Kriwet, Jürgen (August 2021). Cavin, Lionel (ed.). "A unique hybodontiform skeleton provides novel insights into Mesozoic chondrichthyan life". Papers in Palaeontology. 7 (3): 1479–1505. Bibcode:2021PPal....7.1479S. doi: 10.1002/spp2.1350 . ISSN   2056-2799.
  3. 1 2 3 Stumpf, Sebastian; Kettler, Christoph; Kindlimann, René; Cuny, Gilles; Kriwet, Jürgen (December 2023). "The oldest Gondwanan record of the extinct durophagous hybodontiform chondrichthyan, Strophodus from the Bajocian of Morocco". Swiss Journal of Palaeontology . 142 (1): 5. Bibcode:2023SwJP..142....5S. doi: 10.1186/s13358-023-00270-w . ISSN   1664-2376.