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New Fossil Shark Species Discovered in Alabama

Named after educator Dr. Bruce Bizzoco, the Palaeohypotodus bizzocoi lived 65 million years ago, offering insights into post-extinction marine recovery.

fossil shark tooth
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65M-year-old shark fossil, marine predator ID'd from tooth in museum

Overview

  • A new species of fossil shark, Palaeohypotodus bizzocoi, discovered in Alabama, lived approximately 65 million years ago, just after the dinosaurs' extinction.
  • The shark's teeth feature unique tiny fangs on the sides, a characteristic not seen in any living shark species.
  • The discovery was made accidentally while examining historical fossil collections, revealing teeth that didn't match any known species.
  • This finding provides insights into ocean life recovery post-major extinction events and could help forecast the impact of global events like climate change on marine life.
  • The naming of the species honors Dr. Bruce Bizzoco, a dedicated educator and archaeologist, reflecting his commitment to education and history preservation.