5.5" Cretaceous Shark (Hybodus) Dorsal Spine - Morocco

This
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine.  Image under GNU Free Documentation License
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine. Image under GNU Free Documentation License
is a nice dorsal spine of the extinct Cretaceous aged shark Hybodus. These large spines helped to support the dorsal fins of the shark.

There are several repaired cracks in the spine which is typical as they rarely come out of the ground in one piece, but this one is not a composite like most.

Hybodus was a small shark that grew up to 2 meters in length and was likely an opportunistic predator. It had a streamlined shape ideal for hunting down fast prey and two different types of teeth: sharp cutting teeth for catching prey and flatter grinding teeth for crushing. This combination may have been the key to Hybodus' success.

A paper on Hybodus spines can be found below.

Growth And Form of Finspines In Hybodont Sharks

A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine.  Image under GNU Free Documentation License
A complete fossil of Hybodus from Germany showing placement of spine. Image under GNU Free Documentation License
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Hybodus sp.
LOCATION
Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Kem Kem Beds
SIZE
5.5" long
CATEGORY
ITEM
#93924
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