megalodon
Sign in to saveOtodus megalodon ( ; meaning "big tooth"), commonly known as megalodon, is an extinct species of giant mackerel shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago (Mya), from the Early Miocene to the Early Pliocene epochs. This prehistoric fish was once thought to be a member of the family Lamnidae and a close relative of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), but has been reclassified into the extinct family Otodontidae, which diverged from the great white shark during the Early Cretaceous.
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Megalodon was an enormous extinct shark that roamed the oceans from about 23 to 3.6 million years ago, earning its name from its remarkably large teeth. Scientists once believed it was closely related to the modern great white shark, but have since reclassified it into its own extinct family, showing it actually diverged from great whites much earlier in evolutionary history.
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Article
26 sectionsContents
- Classification
- Prescientific and early research history
- Evolution
- Biology
- Appearance
- Size
- Maximum estimates
- Teeth and bite force
- Internal anatomy
- Paleobiology
- Prey relationships
- Feeding strategies
- Growth and reproduction
- Paleoecology
- Range and habitat
- Locations of fossils
- Competition
- Extinction
- Climate change
- Changing ecosystem
- In popular culture
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Otodus megalodon ( ; meaning "big tooth"), commonly known as megalodon, is an extinct species of giant mackerel shark that lived approximately 23 to 3.6 million years ago (Mya), from the Early Miocene to the Early Pliocene epochs. This prehistoric fish was once thought to be a member of the family Lamnidae and a close relative of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), but has been reclassified into the extinct family Otodontidae, which diverged from the great white shark during the Early Cretaceous.
While regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators to have ever lived, megalodon is only known from fragmentary remains, and its appearance and maximum size are uncertain. Scientists have argued whether its body form was more stocky or elongated than the modern lamniform sharks. Maximum body length estimates between based on various analyses have been proposed, though the modal lengths for individuals of all ontogenetic stages from juveniles to adults are estimated at . Their teeth were thick and robust, built for grabbing prey and breaking bone, and their large jaws could exert a bite force of up to .