Approximately when did the transitional species *Otodus daguei* live?
Answer
10 million years ago
The fossil record provides relative and absolute dating for key evolutionary stages. The identification of *Otodus daguei* is significant because its estimated period of existence falls around 10 million years ago. This timeframe is critical as it places this transitional species in a period preceding the full specialization seen in the modern great white shark, yet clearly showing features indicative of the future *Carcharodon* lineage. Analyzing fossils from this epoch helps researchers pinpoint when the specific dental refinements began to manifest that would define the lineage.
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