Scapanorhynchus [Scapanorhynchus]

Description

Scapanorhynchus is an extinct genus within the family Mitsukurinidae, often referred to as the fossil goblin shark. This genus is known from a range of fossil teeth and a few skeletal remains, which suggest that these sharks had a similar appearance to the modern goblin shark, Mitsukurina. Scapanorhynchus lived from the Cretaceous to the Paleogene period. Their elongated snouts and similar tooth morphology suggest these sharks were adapted to similar deep-sea environments as their extant relatives, preying on cephalopods and other deep-sea organisms. The existence of Scapanorhynchus indicates the long evolutionary history of the goblin shark lineage, highlighting the adaptability and persistence of these deep-sea predators.

Species

Taxonomy