Wodnika
Name: Wodnika
Phonetic: Wod-nee-ka.
Named By: Georg Graf zu M�nster - 1843.
Classification: Chordata, Chondrichthyes,
Elasmobranchii, Ctenacanthiformes, Ctenacanthidae.
Species: W. striatula (type) W.
borealis, W. ocoyae.
Diet: Carnivore.
Size: Approximately 1 meter long.
Known locations: Germany. England.
Time period: Wuchiapingian of the Permian to Anisian
of the Triassic.
Fossil representation: Several specimens usually of
the teeth and spines but complete impressions of the whole body are
known.
Also
known as the Zechstein shark, Wodnika appears to
have been very much
like a modern day bullshark. In life Wodnika was
a small shark
that
would have swam in the
Zechstein Sea that covered much of northern Europe, where Wodnika
likely patrolled near the bottom looking for prey like crustaceans.
When found Wodnika would use its rounded teeth to
crush the hard
shells of its prey to get at the softer flesh within.
Although
a fossil specimen of the cartilaginous skeleton of Wodnika
is known,
the more common fossils are the aforementioned rounded teeth and the
dorsal spines. These spines rose up in front of both the first and
second dorsal fins, and while usually envisioned as support for these
fins, they would have made Wodnika a difficult
mouthful for any
potential predators. Wodnika is also known to
have had claspers,
appendages on the underside of the shark for the purpose of sperm
transfer in reproduction. This also allows for identification between
males and females of the species as females lack these claspers.
Further reading
- Nachtrag zu der
Beschreibung einiger merkwürdigen Fische aus den Kupferschiefern. -
Beiträge zur Petrefacten-Kunde 6:47-52 - G. M�nster - 1843.
Even more sharks!
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