Article
Article
- Paleontology
- Fossil fishes
- Cladoselache
Cladoselache
Article By:
Coates, Michael Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
Last reviewed:December 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.139000
A genus of Paleozoic chondrichthyan “sharks,” characterized by broad-based paired fins, a short stout bony spine preceding the first of the two dorsal fins and a large lunate tail-fin. Often cited as among the best known, earliest, and/or most primitive of the early chondrichthyans (cartilaginous fishes including modern chimaeroids, sharks and rays), Cladoselache now appears ill defined and poorly diagnosed. Most of the best fossil specimens of Cladoselache (see illustration) are from the Upper Devonian Cleveland Shales and include complete individuals of around 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Several of these have mineralized traces of soft tissues, including much of the superficial jaw and gill musculature and even apparent traces of internal organs such as the kidneys. The dentition consists of small tricuspid teeth in which the central cusp is largest; the body is mostly naked except for compound scales on the head and fins. No specimens of Cladoselache are known to have claspers—the sex organs of male chondrichthyans used for internal fertilization (otherwise preserved as skeletal rods extending from the rear of the hind set of paired fins). See also: Chondrichthyes
The content above is only an excerpt.
for your institution. Subscribe
To learn more about subscribing to AccessScience, or to request a no-risk trial of this award-winning scientific reference for your institution, fill in your information and a member of our Sales Team will contact you as soon as possible.
to your librarian. Recommend
Let your librarian know about the award-winning gateway to the most trustworthy and accurate scientific information.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information