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Fossil of the Week

Our fossil for this week belonged to one of the most fearsome predators ever to swim our planet’s oceans. Carcharocles megalodon was a massive shark that likely exceeded 50 feet in length as an adult, making it the largest known shark species. It is believed that C. megalodon preyed upon other large marine animals, including whales!

Like modern sharks, C. megalodon had numerous rows of teeth to rapidly replace those that fell out of its mouth. These teeth, along with rarely found skeletal remains, have led scientists to believe that the closest living analog of C. megalodon is most likely the Great White shark (Carchardon carcharias). In fact, C. megalodon was initially placed in the same genus as the Great White and some scientists still believe that this giant should retain the genus name Carcharodon.

C. megalodon had a global distribution during its reign in the seas; fossil remains are known from localities ranging from North America to Europe, Africa, East Asia, and Australia. These deposits range in age from the Miocene epoch to the Pleistocene epoch (about 15 – 2 mya), indicating this giant lived for over 10 million years. This particular specimen comes from a locality along the Río Gurabo in the Dominican Republic’s Cibao Valley. It was discovered by Harold and Emily Vokes during their expedition to the valley in 1976. The tooth’s exact age is difficult to determine because the tooth was found in river float, meaning it was washed away from its original site of preservation. However, fossil snails found with this tooth suggest it is most likely from the Gurabo Formation, which is lower Pliocene in age, indicating this specimen is about 5 million years old. Some of the fine serrations around the edge of the tooth are beautifully preserved, and the slight bend in the tooth indicates it probably came from the right anterior section of the shark’s upper jaw. Teeth from more posterior sections become smaller and are far less symmetrical, with a pronounced curve.

Text by Steve Durham

Stratigraphy.net | Impressum

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