Which ancient shark species provides a crucial anchor point near the base of the *Carcharodon carcharias* group?
Answer
*Otodus daguei*
The mapping of the great white shark's evolutionary progression is significantly aided by the identification of transitional fossil forms. One particularly crucial species identified in this mapping effort is *Otodus daguei*. This ancient shark exhibits specific features that place it near the foundational root of the clade that eventually gave rise to *Carcharodon carcharias*. The discovery of this species, found in the eastern Atlantic, allows scientists to better situate the divergence point and analyze the initial morphological characteristics, such as tooth shape and serration, that set the *Carcharodon* path apart from others.
Related Questions
Sharks as a whole first appeared in the fossil record approximately how long ago?Which durable mineral structure is primarily used to reconstruct the evolution of *Carcharodon carcharias*?What is the modern paleontological view on the relationship between *Carcharodon carcharias* and *Otodus megalodon*?Which ancient shark species provides a crucial anchor point near the base of the *Carcharodon carcharias* group?Approximately when did the transitional species *Otodus daguei* live?Which specialized sensory system allows the modern great white to detect faint electrical fields?What evolutionary strategy did the *Carcharodon* line focus on compared to *Megalodon*'s path?What global environmental change led to the contraction of seas preferred by *Megalodon*?The evolution of the modern *Carcharodon* tooth structure is characterized by which final shape?In early marine ecosystems, what status did sharks hold regarding vertebrate evolution?