Otodus

Otodus is an extinct genus of mackerel shark that lived from the Paleocene to the Miocene epochs. The most famous species within this genus is Otodus obliquus, known for its large, serrated teeth. These teeth are triangular and can measure up to several inches in length, often showing a prominent central cusp and smaller lateral cusplets. Fossilized teeth are the primary evidence for the existence and distribution of Otodus, found in marine sedimentary rocks across the globe. The size of these teeth suggests that Otodus was a large predator, likely preying on fish, other sharks, and possibly marine mammals. Its evolutionary lineage is of significant interest to paleontologists, as it is considered a direct ancestor of the colossal Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon), a much larger predatory shark that dominated the oceans in the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The classification of Otodus has undergone revisions over time, with some researchers placing it within its own family, Otodontidae, to emphasize its distinct evolutionary path leading to Megalodon. The extinction of Otodus and its descendants is thought to be linked to changes in ocean temperatures and prey availability.