News

A new study published in the journal Historical Biology documents the discovery of several new shark species that existed 270 million years ago during the Middle Permian era.

The fossilized shark species were discovered in Arizona, and the study suggests that Arizona had the highest diversity of sharks in the world during the pre-dinosaur era.

The discovery included the Nanoskalme natans, a small shark with blade-like teeth that probably scavenged for food and fed on small fish. At 19.7 feet, the Kaibabvenator swiftae, was a large predator with serrated teeth, who would have fed on large prey that probably included other sharks.

During the Middle Permian era, most of this part of Arizona was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Today, it’s a high plateau area and home to a ponderosa pine forest.

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