Prehistoric Shark Had Devil-like Horns
Posted on August 7, 2013
Discovery News reports that the fossil of a previously unknown ancient shark was discovered in limestone near Flagstaff, Arizona. The shark had unusual devil-like horns on its head. The shark has been given the name, Diablodontus michaeledmundi, which means Devil-Tooth. The shark also had spines on the front and back of its fins.
It is not clear what the purpose of the shark's devil-like horns was. Discovery News speculates that the spikes may have evolved for defense or they may have "turned on members of the opposite sex."
The research was led by Northern Arizona University post-graduate John-Paul Hodnett. His report was published in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin.
The shark was about 3.5 feet long. Hodnett says the shark had advanced teeth, which he describes as "well developed pointed cusps with slight cutting edges." The shark belonged to the extinct Hybodus genus.