Sharks and Fish

Asteracanthus and Hybodus are two common sharks that swam in the Jurassic seas. Both types had two dorsal fins with a large spine in front of each one. Sharks have a skeleton made of cartilage, this is softer than bone and easily decays. The only remains of sharks normally found are the fin spines and teeth.

 Many types of fossil fish can be found in the Oxford Clay. The largest species was Leedsichthyes, a giant filter feeder that could attain a length of 10m. Many smaller species fed on the abundant food to be found in the shallow sea.

Please click on thumbnails to view larger image

fossil fish This fossil fish was rescued from the conveyor belt at Quest Pit, Stewartby.  If it had not been spotted it would have been ground into powder and pressed into a brick mould. The raised area (G) is the animals gut, the dark brown line (B) is its backbone.
Fin spines from an Asteracanthus shark Fin spines from an Asteracanthus shark
Scales from a large fish call Lepidotes Scales from a large fish call Lepidotes
Asteracanthus shark teeth Asteracanthus shark teeth.  These flat topped teeth were used to crush shells
Fin spine from an Hybodus shark Fin spine from an Hybodus shark

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