Fossils of extinct Cretaceous sharks found in Egypt
On the territory of the Abu Tartur plateau in the Egyptian desert, paleontologists have discovered fossilized teeth belonging to five extinct shark species of the Cretaceous period.
In ancient times, the region of North Africa was underwater and was a thriving tropical area. Deep-water currents saturated the sea with nutrients, sustaining high productivity of the food chain and allowing several species of large predators to coexist in the same territory.
During the latest research, scientists found 14 teeth of five extinct shark species. All of them were recorded on the Abu Tartur plateau for the first time.
The shape of the teeth found varies considerably: some of them are thin and needle-like, others are broad and serrated, and one of the specimens has a curved shape. This confirms that the sharks occupied different ecological niches and did not enter into direct competition for prey.
Source: Day.Az
