Discovered a new prehistoric shark in America

Archaeologists have discovered a species of prehistoric shark not known in a limestone area in Flagstaff, USA.

Observing fossils found, the scientists said the shark had a horn on its head and razor-sharp teeth. Archaeologists named this species Diablodontus michaeledmundi , also shortened to the 'Tooth Devil' because they possess sharp teeth. This is said to be a completely new and extinct shark.

Fossil specimens found and sketched 'Devil-toothed' sharks.(Photo: Northern Arizona University)

John-Paul Hodnett from Northern University, Arizona, said the shark lived about 260 million years ago and they survived miraculously through the Permian extinction event - the Triassic period, an event that happened earlier. 252 million years ago, 96% of life on earth was wiped out.

The results of the study of the size of fossil teeth show that the length of a shark species can be up to 3.5 meters with an asymmetrical long tail, a trait similar to many sharks today. In addition to the horn on the head, the new shark also has spines in the dorsal fin before and after. According to archaeologists, the spines on their dorsal fins do not have a self-defense effect to attract mates.

The 'Toothed Devil' is considered the Hybodont species, an extinct shark but closely related to modern sharks. According to Hodnett, "Devil's teeth" sharks often hunt small fish and soft-bodied marine animals at the middle of the ocean.