Egypt Researchers Uncover 14 Shark Teeth From 7 Species in Western Desert, Including 2 National Firsts
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Aug 25
Egypt Researchers Uncover 14 Shark Teeth From 7 Species in Western Desert, Including 2 National Firsts
3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Aug 25
Summary
Fourteen fossil teeth collected on Egypt’s Abu-Tartur Plateau were identified as belonging to at least seven ancient shark species, with five not previously recorded in the region.
Two species—Serratolamna cf. serrata and Squalicorax bassanii—were new to Egypt altogether, expanding the known range of Late Cretaceous sharks in North Africa.
The teeth came from phosphate-rich layers of the Duwi Formation, which preserved remains from a shallow inland sea that covered parts of the Western Desert about 80 million years ago.
Differences in tooth shape—from slender to serrated—suggest the sharks occupied distinct feeding niches, while the mix of species points to habitats ranging from nearshore waters to deeper outer-shelf settings.
The Cairo University-led study, published in Cretaceous Research, adds evidence that the now-arid desert once supported a nutrient-rich marine ecosystem before falling sea levels and tectonic shifts exposed the seafloor.