Full and part skeletons found in Mexico reveal body shape and anatomy of Pytchodus as well as its likely diet
Fossil experts say they have gained unprecedented insights into a type of enormous prehistoric shark, after finding complete skeletons of the creatures.PtychodusPtychodus fossils had turned up before but with its bones made of cartilage, which does not mineralise well, many were isolated teeth, which were huge and unusual.
“The discovery of the new specimens from Vallecillo, revealing the body shape and anatomy of this extinct shark, solves this enigma.” Among them was a complete specimen revealing a side view of Ptychodus, containing not only almost all its skeletal elements but also teeth, preserved muscle remains and a body outline complete with all its fins.A further three of the specimens were almost complete, including a juvenile measuring just over 56cm in length, while the remaining two specimens were incomplete or partial skeletons.
While Ptychodus was possibly the largest shark ever to live on such a diet, the new fossils suggest it had a maximum length of about 9.7 metres – larger than today’s great white shark but smaller than previous estimates that suggested it could have reached more than 10 metres in length.
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