Scapanorhynchus
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| phylum | Chordata | Scapanorhynchus is an extinct genus of shark from the Cretaceous period. Their extreme similarities to the living goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni, lead some experts to consider reclassifying it as Scapanorhynchus owstoni. However, most shark specialists regard the goblin shark to be distinct enough from its prehistoric relatives to merit placement in its own genus. Scapanorhynchus had an elongated, albeit, flattened snout, and sharp awl-shaped teeth, ideal for seizing fish, or tearing chunks of flesh from its prey. It was a small shark, normally measuring about 65 cm, though the largest species, S. texanus, is thought to have reached up to 3 m (10 ft) in length,about the size of a modern goblin shark.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to mackerel sharks |
| class | Chondrichthyes | |
| order | Lamniformes | |
| family | Mitsukurinidae | |
| genus | Scapanorhynchus | |
| Period | Early Cretaceous Paleocene |
