US EditionNew Species of Ancient Shark Discovered at Kentucky's Mammoth Cave
KENTUCKY, JUL 28 – Researchers identified Macadens olsoni as a small shark species with unique teeth that fed on mollusks and worms, adding to over 40 ancient shark species found recently at Mammoth Cave.
- Paleontologists discovered a new ancient shark species named Macadens olsoni in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park around 340 million years ago.
- This finding emerged from comprehensive fossil excavations beginning in 2019 in Mammoth Cave, a region that was once submerged beneath a shallow sea linking the continents that would eventually become parts of the eastern United States, western Europe, and northern Africa.
- Measuring less than 30 centimeters in length, Macadens olsoni possessed a distinctive curved tooth whorl that it used to crush mollusks and worms within its ancient habitat.
- Researchers noted morphological similarities between Macadens olsoni and Helodus coxanus, suggesting H. coxanus may belong to a new genus called Rotuladens.
- The discovery enriches knowledge of ancient marine ecosystems, highlights the value of paleontological research in national parks, and offers educational opportunities, according to Mammoth Cave Superintendent Barclay Trimble.
35 Articles
35 Articles
An Ancient Shark Fossil Was Found Inside the World’s Longest Cave System
Tucked deep inside the winding, limestone labyrinth of Mammoth Cave, scientists just uncovered something unexpected: a shark. Not a living one, thankfully—unless you’re into waking nightmares—but the fossilized remains of a long-extinct species that swam here over 340 million years ago. The shark, Macadens olsoni, turned up in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave, inside rock that used to sit at the bottom of a tropical sea. Back then, the whole region was s…
Ancient shark discovered deep inside world's longest cave system
The National Park Service has announced another ancient shark discovery at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The latest find, named Macadens olsoni, had a unique curved row of teeth and lived around 340 million years ago.
A new species of ancient shark, called Macadens olsoni, has been discovered inside the world's longest cave system: Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky). ...
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