Geology and Minerals

Dracopristis

Dracopristis (meaning 'dragon shark') is an extinct genus of ctenacanth (a group of shark-like cartilaginous fish) that lived during the Carboniferous period in North America, around 307 million years ago. The species was discovered in the Kinney Brick Quarry in New Mexico, USA. Like many fossils from the site, the fossils of Dracopristis are very well-preserved. A single species is known, Dracopristis hoffmanorum, which is named in honor of Ralph and Jeanette Hoffman, the owners of the quarry. Prior to being scientific named, D. hoffmanorum was informally referred to as the "Godzilla shark". Dracopristis possessed large dermal denticles along its head, along with rows of short, multi-cusped teeth in its jaws and very large spines on its dorsal fins, the latter of which inspired the name of the genus. The dorsal spines of the type specimen are about 0.57 m (1 ft 10 in) in length, while the entire body was approximately 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) in length. Its large spines were likely used for defense against larger fish, while Dracopristis itself was likely a benthic predator that inhabited shallow, brackish-water environments.

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See also

• ▸Environmental radioactivity
• ▸Acrotriche
• ▸Geology of Alderley Edge

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