Palaeocarcharias Temporal range: Middle-Late Jurassic
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Specimens of P. stromeri from the Upper Jurassic of Germany | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Subdivision: | Selachimorpha |
Superorder: | Galeomorphii |
Order: | Lamniformes (?) |
Genus: | †
Palaeocarcharias Beaumont, 1960 |
Species: | †P. stromeri
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Binomial name | |
†Palaeocarcharias stromeri Beaumont, 1960
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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]
Palaeocarcharias Temporal range: Middle-Late Jurassic
| |
---|---|
| |
![]() | |
Specimens of P. stromeri from the Upper Jurassic of Germany | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Subdivision: | Selachimorpha |
Superorder: | Galeomorphii |
Order: | Lamniformes (?) |
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]