Palaeocarcharias

Palaeocarcharias
Temporal range: Middle-Late Jurassic Bathonian–Tithonian
Specimens of P. stromeri from the Upper Jurassic of Germany
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
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]

  1. ^ a b Villalobos-Segura, Eduardo; Stumpf, Sebastian; Türtscher, Julia; Jambura, Patrick; Begat, Arnaud; López-Romero, Faviel; Fischer, Jan; Kriwet, Jürgen (2023-03-08). "A Synoptic Review of the Cartilaginous Fishes (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali, Elasmobranchii) from the Upper Jurassic Konservat-Lagerstätten of Southern Germany: Taxonomy, Diversity, and Faunal Relationships". Diversity. 15 (3): 386. doi:10.3390/d15030386. ISSN 1424-2818. PMC 7614348. PMID 36950327.
  2. ^ a b Jambura, Patrick L.; Kindlimann, René; López-Romero, Faviel; Marramà, Giuseppe; Pfaff, Cathrin; Stumpf, Sebastian; Türtscher, Julia; Underwood, Charlie J.; Ward, David J.; Kriwet, Jürgen (2019-07-04). "Micro-computed tomography imaging reveals the development of a unique tooth mineralization pattern in mackerel sharks (Chondrichthyes; Lamniformes) in deep time". Scientific Reports. 9 (1): 9652. Bibcode:2019NatSR...9.9652J. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-46081-3. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 6609643. PMID 31273249.
  3. ^ Shimada, Kenshu; Becker, Martin A.; Griffiths, Michael L. (2021-11-02). "Body, jaw, and dentition lengths of macrophagous lamniform sharks, and body size evolution in Lamniformes with special reference to 'off-the-scale' gigantism of the megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon". Historical Biology. 33 (11): 2543–2559. Bibcode:2021HBio...33.2543S. doi:10.1080/08912963.2020.1812598. ISSN 0891-2963. S2CID 224935604.
  4. ^ a b Landemaine, Olivier; Thies, Detlev; Waschkewitz, Jens (2018-11-01). "The Late Jurassic shark Palaeocarcharias (Elasmobranchii, Selachimorpha) – functional morphology of teeth, dermal cephalic lobes and phylogenetic position". Palaeontographica Abteilung A. 312 (5–6): 103–165. Bibcode:2018PalAA.312..103L. doi:10.1127/0375-0442/2018/0000/0085. S2CID 146540287.