Charterinius

Charterinius is a genus of extinct cartilaginous fishes belonging to the order Lamniformes, which includes modern-day mackerel sharks. Fossils of Charterinius have been found primarily in marine sedimentary rocks dating back to the Late Cretaceous period. These ancient sharks are known from fragmented skeletal remains, most notably teeth and vertebral centra, which provide clues about their morphology and evolutionary relationships.

The teeth of Charterinius are typically triangular and serrated, similar to those found in some extant lamniform sharks, suggesting a predatory diet. Analysis of these teeth indicates they were likely adapted for seizing and cutting prey. The vertebral centra, though often poorly preserved, are characteristic of cartilaginous fish and contribute to the identification of the genus.

The discovery of Charterinius fossils, particularly in regions like Europe and North America, helps scientists understand the diversity and distribution of sharks during the Mesozoic Era. Its existence alongside other known Cretaceous sharks provides insights into the paleoecology of ancient marine environments. While direct comparisons to living species are limited due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils, Charterinius is considered an important component of the Late Cretaceous shark fauna, contributing to our understanding of shark evolution before the major diversification event that followed the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. Research continues to refine our understanding of this ancient shark genus as new fossil discoveries are made and analyzed.