description Orthacanthus Overview
Orthacanthus is an extinct genus of xenacanthid shark that inhabited freshwater swamps and bayous during the Carboniferous and Permian periods. First named by Louis Agassiz in 1843, this prehistoric shark is distinguished by its elongated, eel-like body and a large defensive spine protruding from the back of its head. It was a formidable apex predator in its environment.
help Orthacanthus FAQ
What was Orthacanthus?
Orthacanthus was an extinct genus of xenacanthid shark that lived in freshwater environments. It inhabited swamps and bayous during the Carboniferous and Permian periods.
When did Orthacanthus live?
Orthacanthus lived across the Carboniferous and Permian periods of the Paleozoic Era. It was therefore separated from modern sharks by hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history.
What did Orthacanthus look like?
It had an elongated, eel-like body rather than the compact profile of many modern sharks. The genus also had a large defensive spine behind its head.
Who named Orthacanthus?
Louis Agassiz first named Orthacanthus in 1843. The genus is distinguished in fossil descriptions by its eel-like body and prominent defensive spine.
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