Physogaleus
| Physogaleus Temporal range: Eocene-Miocene | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Superorder: | Selachimorpha |
| Order: | Carcharhiniformes |
| Genus: | Physogaleus |
| Species | |
| |
Physogaleus is a small genus of prehistoric shark that lived from the Eocene to Miocene epochs.[1]
Description
Physogaleus are only known from their fossil teeth and isolated vertebra. It has teeth similar to the modern tiger shark, but smaller. Physogaleus was actually thought to be a type of tiger shark (Galeocerdo). However, due to the many smaller differences in the shark teeth, it has been moved to its own genus.[2]
Physogaleus teeth are smaller than the tiger sharks, they also do not have the heavy serrations, and are slender and can be twisted toward the crown. This indicates they probably had a diet of bony fish, similar to the living sand-tiger shark.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Tiger Shark Facts and Information". Fossilguy.
- ↑ Hernandez, C. 2015. Paleobiology of the Mio-Pliocene sharks, with emphasis on the extinct apex predator Carcharocles megalodon. University of Florida. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation
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