WEIRD SHARKS
stab and grip onto its prey. The lateral and posterior teeth, however, are triangular with cutting edges that allowed the shark to slice the flesh of its prey, usually after catching it with its anterior teeth.
Scapanorhynchus is one of my favorite ancient sharks
because it is the first shark that I have studied in the field, and because the morphology of its teeth explains the lifestyle of the animal so well. The body shape of Scapanorhynchus and its relatives, with a thin snout and freakishly protruding mouth, is also fascinating to me. The appearance of this ter- rifying looking group of sharks- called the goblin sharks today- leads many to believe they hail from deep sea environments, where other strange and monstrous fish dwell. However, body fossils of Scapanorhynchus from shallow water limestones in Lebanon make it apparent that this particular group of goblin shark evolved its alien appearance long before their modern cousins ventured into deeper water. While strange to our eyes, Scapanorhynchus must have been a regular sight in the shallow late Cretaceous waters of North America and the rest of the world.
About the Authors
Ryan Shell plans to graduate from Wright State University’s Environmental Science PhD program later this year (2020). He had previously earned a BS in geology from the University of
Arkansas in 2013. Ryan primarily studies the biodiversity and ecology of ancient sharks. He will also begin geology teaching as an adjunct instructor for the University of Dayton in the fall of 2020.
Paige Wilms plans to finish her BS at Wright State’s Earth and Environmental Sciences department (EES) in the fall of 2021. She is also doing undergraduate research on a Paleozoic shark site in central Ohio that contains both Janassa and rela- tives of Cladoselache. She has also worked in the field with Ryan and Connor as part of WSU field courses. Later, Paige wants to pursue vertebrate paleontology at the graduate level. She is currently employed as a Teaching Assistant at Wright State University’s Earth and Environmental Sciences, and volunteers in the Paleontology lab at the Cincinnati Museum Center.
Connor Motzko graduated from WSU’s EES department in the spring 2020 with a BS. He first became interested in fossils when he was in middle school though the science olympiad. He met Ryan and Paige in WSU field courses such as Geology of the Appalachian Front, which was taught in the summer of 2019, and Atlantic Coast Paleoecology, which was taught in the spring of 2020.
Order Extra Copies of Student Issue Individuals and sections are encouraged to purchase extra copies of the Student issue to provide to colleges and universities
with geology departments. This is a great way to introduce students to AIPG and encourage formation of student chapters. The cost of the Student Issue is discounted from $5.00 to $3.00 for quantities of 10 or more. Amount due ($3.00 x Quantity)
+ Shipping and Handling.
Shipping & Handling Orders up to $15.00 add $8.00 Orders of $15.01 to $30.00 add $10.00 Orders over $30.00 add $12.00 If weight order exceeds 10 lbs., additional postage will apply.
Please send your order with payment to AIPG Headquarters no later than December 1, 2020. Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip:_________________________________________________________________________________________ Number of Student Issues (TPG Jan/Feb/Mar 2021):______________________________________________________ Check enclosed:________________________________________________________________________________________ Credit Card:___________________________________________________________________________________________ Expiration Date:____________________________ Billing address for card if different from above.
CVV:_____________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:_________________________________________________________________________________________ Please invoice _________________________ AIPG Section for additional Student Issue TPGs.
You may mail this form in with your payment, or email completed form to
dkc@aipg.org.
www.aipg.org
Oct.Nov.Dec 2020 • TPG 37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
