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The Ctenacanthiforms sharks emerged in the Late Devonian period and were one of the earliest evolutionary radiations in the Chondrichthyan lineage. They were also an incredibly successful group, surviving up to at least the Early Cretaceous in deep waters of what is now Southern France and Austria. Image of Reconstructions by J.P. Hodnett of some Ctenacanthid Sharks (the three yellow sharks) from Permian formations at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, U.S. Image Source: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/fossil-inventories-uncover-permian-sharks-in-western-national-parks.htm Unfortunately, this group is currently still relatively rarely studied by large sections of academia specializing in prehistoric sharks. This is the case even for species with preserved body fossils such as the magnificent, awe inspiring, and a personal favorite of mine, Saivodus striatus (Duffin and Glinter, 2006)! Duffin, C. J., & Ginter, M. (2006). Comments on the Selachian genus Cladodus Agassiz, 1843. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 26(2), 253–266. https://doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2006)26[253:cotsgc]2.0.co;2 However, one incredible genus that deserves more study and academic along with public spotlight is Amelacanthus (Maisey, 1982)!! Maisey, J. G. (1982). Studies on the Paleozoic selachian genus Ctenacanthus Agassiz. No. 2, Bythiacanthus St. John and Worthen, Amelacanthus, new genus, Eunemacanthus St. John and Worthen, Sphenacanthus Agassiz, and Wodnika Münster. American Museum novitates; no. 2722. https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/3536

Receiving this gorgeous but mysterious specimen is from Upper Pennsylvanian limestone dated around 290-300 million years ago from somewhere around Kansas City. Looks like a tooth to me and my best guess would be orodus? But I have little experience with Pennsylvanian shark teeth in general and especially from this area, also cannot find a comparison elsewhere online. Any help will be appreciated.

We have recently picked up some rather interesting micro shark teeth from the Paleozoic. Originally this was our way to get some older shark fossils to show students but I am actually pretty interested in continuing to collect micros from this period. First up, the oldest Chondrichthyes fossils we have and as I understand it, the second oldest yet found. Denticles Upper Ordovician Harding Sandstone Colorado I read that these had been given a name, Tezakia. Not sure if that is still valid or if these denticles match those described.

Pictures first, full descriptions will follow Paleozoic Sharks and “Sharks”