Hybodontiformes

Hybodus fraasi (one of the many Hybodontiformes)

The Hybodontiformes Order is a sister group to the one that contains all of our modern Sharks, Rays, and Skates. It was first identified back in 1846, and since then species from five different Families have been uncovered.

These prehistoric sharks were successful for a very, very long time-- they lasted nearly 200 million years and went extinct at the same time as the Dinosaurs-- 65 million years ago.

There have been numerous species discovered within this order, and fossils have been found in places like China and Brazil. Interestingly, these animals lives in both saltwater and freshwater. Unfortunately, that freshwater adaptation didn't save them from going extinct, and they began their decline during the cretaceous period.

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Status : Extinct for 65 million years
Location : Worldwide

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Subclass : Elasmobranchii
Order : †Hybodontiformes

Image : Haplochromis