8.3" Fossil Shark (Asteracanthus) Dorsal Spine - Morocco

This is an 8.3" fossil, dorsal spine of a shark (Asteracanthus) from the Kem Kem Basin, Taouz, Morocco. This specimen shows lateral ridges and denticles along posterior edge. The delecate spines are nearly always found fractured in the ground. This specimen has several repaired cracks with a little bit of gap filling in a few of the repairs.

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
Asteracanthus ornatissimus
LOCATION
Taouz, Kem Kem Basin, Morocco
FORMATION
Kem Kem Beds
SIZE
8.3"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#130365
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