Dracopristis

Dracopristis is an extinct genus of prehistoric shark that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossil remains of Dracopristis have been discovered in marine deposits, indicating its habitat was the ancient seas. This genus is particularly notable for its distinctive dentition, featuring heavily serrated teeth adapted for shearing and puncturing prey. The teeth are often described as "saw-like" due to their prominent serrations.

The type species, Dracopristis hoffmanorum, was described in 2019 based on fossilized teeth found in the Bluffport Member of the Mooreville Chalk in Alabama, USA. These fossils suggest Dracopristis was a large predatory shark, potentially an apex predator in its ecosystem. While its exact phylogenetic placement is still under investigation, its morphology, especially the teeth, suggests it may have belonged to the order Lamniformes, which includes modern mackerel sharks like the great white.

The discovery of Dracopristis contributes to our understanding of shark diversity during the Cretaceous, a period of significant marine evolution. The serrated teeth are indicative of a diet that likely included large prey, such as bony fish and possibly other marine reptiles. Further fossil discoveries could shed more light on the size, behavior, and evolutionary relationships of this fascinating extinct shark.