Physogaleus

Physogaleus; Temporal range: Ypresian-Burdigalian
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Order:	Carcharhiniformes
Genus:	†Physogaleus; Cappetta, 1980
Type species
	Physogaleus secundus; (Winkler, 1876)
Species
	Physogaleus americanus Case, 1994; Physogaleus contortus (Gibbes, 1849); Physogaleus hemmooriensis Reinecke & Hoedemakers, 2006; Physogaleus huberensis (Case, 1981); Physogaleus latecuspidatus Muller, 1999; Physogaleus latus (Storms, 1894); Physogaleus maltzani (Winkler, 1875); Physogaleus rosehillensis Case & Borodin, 2000; Physogaleus secundus (Winkler, 1876); Physogaleus tertius (Winkler, 1876);

Physogaleus is a small genus of extinct prehistoric requiem shark that lived from the Eocene to Miocene epochs.[1][2]

Description

Physogaleus is only known from fossil teeth and isolated vertebra. The teeth similar to those of the modern Tiger shark, but are smaller, with a more central cusp that projects farther from the base of the tooth. The species of Physogaleus were originally described as belonging to the same genus as the modern Tiger shark, Galeocerdo. Recognition of numerous differences in dental anatomy of each these species compared other species of Galeocerdo lead researchers to erect the genus Physogaleus to include taxa that were more morphologically similar to one another than they were to Galeocerdo.[3]

Physogaleus teeth reach a maximum size that is smaller than that of true tiger sharks, and they lack the heavy serrations typical of Galeocerdo. They are also are more slender and the central cusp can be somewhat twisted toward the crown. This indicates individuals of Physogaleus probably had a diet of bony fish, similar to the living sand-tiger shark.[2]

References

Reinecke, Thomas; Hoedemakers, Kristiaan (2006). "Physogaleus hemmooriensis (Carcharhinidae, Elasmobranchii) A New Shark Species from the Early to Middle Miocene of the North Sea Basin". PalaeoVertebrata. 34 (1–2): 1-25.
"Tiger Shark Facts and Information". Fossilguy.
Hernandez, C. 2015. Paleobiology of the Mio-Pliocene sharks, with emphasis on the extinct apex predator Carcharocles megalodon. University of Florida. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation

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[physogaleus_hemmooriensis-1] Reinecke, Thomas; Hoedemakers, Kristiaan (2006). "Physogaleus hemmooriensis (Carcharhinidae, Elasmobranchii) A New Shark Species from the Early to Middle Miocene of the North Sea Basin". PalaeoVertebrata. 34 (1–2): 1-25.

[fossilguy-2] "Tiger Shark Facts and Information". Fossilguy.

[hernandez-3] Hernandez, C. 2015. Paleobiology of the Mio-Pliocene sharks, with emphasis on the extinct apex predator Carcharocles megalodon. University of Florida. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation