Fossil Facts > Hybodont sharks

Compared to other fossil hunting localities, Lyme Regis isn’t typically considered a shark tooth fossil hotspot. Whilst sharks had evolved millions of years before the Jurassic, shark fossils are quite rare to come by here. However, during the Early Jurassic, an unusual type of sharks patrolled these oceans, called hybodont sharks. Hybodont sharks share close common ancestry with modern sharks and rays and had cartilaginous bones, which rarely preserved as fossils. Hybodont sharks are distinct by their bony dorsal fin spines. The spines were long, barb like protrusions adorned with hooks.  These spines being made of bone are one of the few fossils of hybodont sharks that can be found.

The other thing that can preserve are teeth and Hybodus and Acrodus are amongst the better-known teeth. Hybodus is believed to have favoured predation of cephalopods and fish, due to its sharp pointed teeth. In contrast, Acrodus had flat broad crushing teeth and is considered to have been a hunter of benthic prey, better adapted for eating shelled prey living on the sea floor.

In our museum a variety of hybodont shark fossils can be seen, including a variety of spines and even an extremely rare complete skull found by Mary Anning.