Cladoselache

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Cladoselache
Fossil range: Devonian

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Cladoselachiformes
Genus: Cladoselache
Species

See text.

Cladoselache
Type shark
Length 6 ft (1,80 m)
Age 370 million years ago
Diet carnivore
Environment ocean
Distribution Ohio, USA

Cladoselache is a genus of extinct shark. It appeared in the Devonian period.

Fossil of the Cladoselache.
Fossil of the Cladoselache.

Cladoselache is thought to have grown up to 6 feet long. It had a very weak jaw joint compared with modern-day sharks, but it compensated with very strong jaw-closing muscles. It has been inferred from its long, streamlined body and deep, forked tail shape that Cladoselache was a fast-swimming predator. Its teeth were multi-cusped and smooth-edged, making them suitable for grasping, but not tearing or chewing. Cladoselache therefore probably seized prey by the tail and swallowed it whole. Its mouth was unusual and right in the middle of its head.

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