The researchers revealed the fossilized residue of two types that are unknown before Pre -date shark In deep geological layers Mammoth Park National Cave in Kentucky And located in North Alabama. Types, named Troglocladus trimblei and Glikmanius CareforumAlmost returns again 325 million years old It belongs to an ancient family of sharks known as the name ctenacanths. These creatures are distant relatives of modern sharks, equipped with distinctive Defense spine On their backs in the form of combs.
The discovery was discovered as part of Stock resources excavationA scientific initiative I conducted National Park Service (Nps) To document fossil records saved throughout the American national parks. According to NPS, the excavated residue was exceptionally preserved, with detailed anatomical features, thanks Underground conditions stable From the cave system.
Fossils of the depths of the mammoth cave
The excavations were found inside Mammoth caveAn extensive network of limestone tunnels and rooms known as The longest cave system in the worldMore than 676 km under Kentucky’s hills. This cave is not only famous for its wide underground clips, but also for its song Geology Carters Old marine deposits.
Mammoth Park National Cave The topic of exploration and study was since the early nineteenth century, after serving a variety of purposes, from Salt During the civil war to Environmental tourism In recent decades. It is also home to a group of Wildlife makeup caveIt includes Blind fishand InvertebrateAnd Bats. Sometimes, the remnants of the prehistoric life of the prehistoric life are found in the old stone formations.
TROGLOCLDODUS TIMKELI and Glikmanius Careforum
One of the newly discovered sharks, Troglocladus trimbleiIt was almost From 3 to 3.6 meters It was special Sustured teethReferring to specialized fishing technology. The other, Glikmanius CareforumHe believed he had Bite Capable of feeding a set of prey, including Other sharksand Bone fishAnd Bones– An extinct set of marine mollusks related to the roots.
Digital rebuilding it issued National Park Service He appears Glikmanius Careforum Swimming in the foreground with two Troglocladus trimblei The transition above, providing a glimpse of their old marine environment. This shark, according to the researchers, has probably offered a similar behavior Modern lemon or gray sharksAnd it may have been adapted to coastal premises instead of deep conditions.
A snapshot of the marine corridor that disappeared
The geological composition in which the excavations were found dates for a vast period Internal sea The parts covered with what is now known as North America. This ancient sea lane links once to the ground companies that will become North America, Europe and North AfricaKentucky and Alabama placed in the modern era under tropical water. For millions of years, the marine passage has disappeared due to Tektume paintings collisionUltimately, the formation of the continent Bag.
Excavations from this time period provide a rare and detailed vision in marine ecosystems that were present long before the first dinosaurs. Previous discovery in the same area select a The 330 million shark Great like a great white hadith. These discoveries emphasize the importance of the mammoth cave system and its surrounding areas as a major understanding sites Ancient marine biological diversity And the evolutionary date of sharks.
Maintaining fossil records for future research
the Stock resources excavation It was created to help scientists and garden managers follow and protect Non -renewed fossil resources It was found in the American national parks. the National Park Service Paleontology Field studies, literature reviews, museum research, and interviews with former and current experts are used to collect detailed reports on fossil assets for each garden.
in case Mammoth caveThe stability of the cave environment allowed excavations Troglocladus trimblei and Glikmanius Careforum To remain intact for hundreds of millions of years. NPS states that these discoveries provide scientists a “great glimpse” in prehistoric ecosystems, which helps to rebuild how Naval predators early Long live, evolved, interacted within their old habitats.
