Researchers have identified a new-to-science species of ancient shark at Mammoth Cave National Park. The fossils of Clavusodens mcginnisi (a.k.a. McGinnis’ nail tooth) were discovered through an ongoing Paleontological Resource Inventory (PRI) being conducted at the park, according to a park release.
Fossil samples are collected by researchers and volunteers from the main Mammoth Cave system and from smaller caves throughout the park. The fossils they’ve found have “provided new data on previously known ancient sharks and revealed several species that are brand new to science,” according to Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “These discoveries help scientists to better understand the relationship and evolution of modern shark species within this relatively small geographic region.”
About the shark
The new McGinnis’ nail tooth species was discovered from a number of small teeth found throughout the Ste. Genevieve Formation rock layer in Mammoth Cave. The name is derived from the shape of the shark’s back teeth. With flat crowns adn long tooth bases, the teeth look like old iron nails. The species name, mcginnisi, honors retired National Park Service superintendent and naturalist David McGinnis, whose 39-year career started at Mammoth Cave National Park.
These small sharks were between 3-4 inches in length, allowing them to avoid larger predators as they foraged on crustaceans, worms and small brachiopods found along the sea floor.
The Ste. Genevieve Formation at Mammoth Cave is a layer of rocks that date back to approximately 340 million years ago. Prior to the discoveries made at Mammoth Cave over the last several years, no shark fossils were known from the Ste. Genevieve Formation. To date, over 70 species of sharks and other fish have been identified from this geologic layer, including four new species.Visit Mammoth Cave National Park PRI to learn more about the park’s ancient shark research and view images of ancient shark discoveries in the Shark Photo Gallery.
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