Listracanthus
Encyclopedia
Listracanthus is a genus of extinct cartilaginous fish related to Edestus
. They are known primarily from their tremendous, feather-like denticles, which range up to four inches in length. The denticles had a large main spine, with secondary spines emanating from the sides, like a feather or a comb. Listracanthus first appeared in late Carboniferous
strata in North America, and eventually disappear from the fossil record some time during the Late Triassic
, making it one of the longest-lived genera in the family Edestidae
.
The appearance of these sharks are largely unknown. However, author and illustrator Ray Troll
mentions in his book, Sharkabet, about how paleontologist Rainer Zangerl once discovered a large shale slab containing a long, eel-like fish covered in long, spine-like denticles, only to have it dry out and crumble into dust. As such, according to Zangerl's account, Troll reconstructs Listracanthus as resembling a tremendous, fiercely-bristled frill shark.
Edestus
Edestus is a genus of shark that lived throughout the world's oceans during the late Carboniferous. All of the species are known only from their teeth...
. They are known primarily from their tremendous, feather-like denticles, which range up to four inches in length. The denticles had a large main spine, with secondary spines emanating from the sides, like a feather or a comb. Listracanthus first appeared in late Carboniferous
Carboniferous
The Carboniferous is a geologic period and system that extends from the end of the Devonian Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya , to the beginning of the Permian Period, about 299.0 ± 0.8 Mya . The name is derived from the Latin word for coal, carbo. Carboniferous means "coal-bearing"...
strata in North America, and eventually disappear from the fossil record some time during the Late Triassic
Triassic
The Triassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about 250 to 200 Mya . As the first period of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic follows the Permian and is followed by the Jurassic. Both the start and end of the Triassic are marked by major extinction events...
, making it one of the longest-lived genera in the family Edestidae
Edestidae
Edestidae is an extinct and poorly known family of sharks. They possessed a unique "tooth-whorl" on the symphysis of the lower jaw as well as pectoral fins supported by long radials. The palatoquadrate was either fused to the skull or reduced. It is possible that they may belong to...
.
The appearance of these sharks are largely unknown. However, author and illustrator Ray Troll
Ray Troll
Ray Troll is a Ketchikan, Alaska-based artist.Troll attended high school in Witchita, Kansas. He has a bachelors degree in printmaking and a MFA degree in printmaking in drawing from Washington State University. He came to Alaska in 1983 at age 29. He is a guitar player and vocalist in the...
mentions in his book, Sharkabet, about how paleontologist Rainer Zangerl once discovered a large shale slab containing a long, eel-like fish covered in long, spine-like denticles, only to have it dry out and crumble into dust. As such, according to Zangerl's account, Troll reconstructs Listracanthus as resembling a tremendous, fiercely-bristled frill shark.