What specific Permian formation is mentioned in connection with Texas Xenacanthus finds?

Clear Fork Formation

The geological context surrounding the Texas discoveries provides specific insights into the conditions leading to preservation. While general overviews may not detail every formation, specific paleontological contexts associate Texas finds of Xenacanthus with the Clear Fork Formation. This formation represents a Permian-aged site where conditions were suitable for the preservation of elasmobranch remains within a terrestrial context. The relative completeness of these shark fossils often suggests preservation occurred during periods when the water bodies experienced slow drying or resulted in anoxic conditions, leading to mass mortality events that favored fossilization over standard decomposition or scavenging processes.