The famed megalodon is no longer alone as one of the oldest species of sharks to have ever lived. Meet the Megalolamna paradoxodon, a newly discovered species of shark that was roughly the size of a sedan. This tremendous beast swam the seas during the Miocene era, more than 20 million years ago.
While about a third the size of the megaladon, Megalolamna paradoxodon is likely a relative, one who found a home in shallow waters, and swam in a wide range that covered both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Tooth samples linked to this shark species have been found in California, North Carolina, Peru, and Japan, demonstrating the vast territory of this ancient predator.
The teeth themselves are about 2 inches long, and have a unique shape and structure that scientist have never encountered before. Multiple samples of teeth, both front and rear, have been found. The teeth allowed scientists to estimate the size of the shark, which was about 12 feet long. Though that would make Megalolamna paradoxodon a bit smaller than today’s great white, it would still rank among the largest of modern sharks, on par with a bluntnose sixgill or oceanic whitetip.
While shark teeth are not a concrete indicator of any shark’s size, they are a good base from which to judge. The structure and features of the teeth can also tell scientists a lot. These particular teeth had enough unusual features to prove that this was a previously unknown species.
A newly discovered species of shark can tell scientists a lot about today’s sharks. It is believed that they evolved into their present day form very quickly, and early on. Sharks of the ancient past, like megaladon and Megalolamna paradoxodon, may not be all that different from today’s tiger shark or hammerhead.
