Sharks have existed on Earth for over 400 million years.
Early Devonian period
(410 MILLION years ago)
Doliodus problematicus is thought to have risen from within a group of fish known as acanthodians, which have a cartilaginous skeleton, shark-like skull and jaw, and some shark-like teeth - often fused together.
Middle Devonian period
(380 MILLION years ago)
The genus Antarctilamna appeared in this era. It’s about this time that Cladoselache also evolved with a torpedo-shaped body, forked tail, and dorsal fin.
Carboniferous period
(359 MILLION years ago)
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Stethacanthus - peculiar anvil-shaped fin on its back
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Helicoprion - spiral buzz saw-like bottom jaw
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Falcatus - the males had a long spine jutting out of the back and over the top of the head
Palaeogene period
(66 MILLION to 23 MILLION years ago)
Otodus obliquus existed in this era, the ancestor to megalodon (Otodus megalodon)
JAWsome prehistoric graphics created by Tatyana Dacostagomez
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