Subclass Elasmobranchii | Superorder Selachimorpha | |
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Similar Otodus, Physogaleus, Odontaspis, Anomotodon, Carcharocles auriculatus | ||
Striatolamia
Striatolamia is an extinct genus of sharks belonging to the family Odontaspididae.
Contents
These extinct sharks lived in the Paleocene and Miocene periods (from 61.7 to 10.3 Ma).
Etymology
The Latin genus name Striatolamia refers to the striations on the surface of the teeth.
Systematics
This genus had been assigned to families Mitsukurinidae and Striatolamiidae by other authors.
Similar and related genera include Carcharoides, Parodontaspis, Priodontaspis, Pseudoisurus and Synodontaspis.
Species
Species within this genus include:
Description
Striatolamia species could reach a length of about 350 centimetres (140 in). Its teeth are notably big and rather common in sediments. The anterior teeth have elongated crowns, with striations on the lingual face and small lateral cusplets. The lateral teeth are smaller and broader, with weaker striations.
S. macrota anterior teeth have smaller roots than S. striata, and they are often recurved. Another difference between these two species is the length of their teeth. Teeth of striata are generally smaller (13-51mm) than macrota (19-38mm).
Distribution and habitat
Most widespread species of Striatolamia are S. striata and S. macrota. Fossil teeth and calcified vertebrae of Striatolamia species have been found all over the world. These sharks lived in waters with low salinity.
