Which durable mineral structure is primarily used to reconstruct the evolution of *Carcharodon carcharias*?
Answer
Teeth
The reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the great white shark, *Carcharodon carcharias*, relies heavily on dental evidence because their skeletal structures are composed primarily of cartilage. Cartilage is composed of durable minerals that do not fossilize well, meaning skeletal remains are rarely preserved through geological time. In contrast, shark teeth are comprised of highly durable mineralized tissues that persist across geological strata. Scientists meticulously examine the size, serration pattern, and crown shape of these fossilized teeth found in different layers of sediment to chart the gradual morphological progression that resulted in the modern species' distinctive dental architecture.
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?