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15h ago
Cleveland's beloved ancient sea monster was more turtle than shark
- A new study shows nearly half of Dunkleosteus terrelli's skull was made of cartilage, altering its published jaw anatomy.
- Researchers argue the ancient fish had bone blades in its mouth rather than true teeth, aiding large prey tearing.
- The head and jaw morphology now resemble a snapping turtle more than a shark, per the new analysis.
- The study expands understanding of arthrodire diversity and ecological roles in ancient seas.
- The findings come from the world’s largest, best-preserved Dunkleosteus fossil collection at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
- The new anatomical insights were published in The Anatomical Record.
- Dunkleosteus terrelli lived in shallow Devonian seas around Cleveland about 360 million years ago.
- Dunkleosteus was an apex predator with armored plates and bone blades for teeth.
- The Devonian extinction event ended the era of Dunkleosteus, about 358 million years ago.
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