werich

werich is a genus of extinct cartilaginous fish that lived during the Carboniferous period. These ancient sharks are known primarily from fossilized teeth and fin spines, which are often found in marine sedimentary rocks. The genus was first described by paleontologist John Strong Newberry in the late 19th century.

The teeth of werich are typically small and triangular, with serrated edges. This morphology suggests that werich was likely a predator, using its sharp teeth to capture and tear apart prey. The fin spines, which were likely used for defense, are generally robust and pointed.

Fossil discoveries indicate that werich inhabited shallow marine environments. The exact size and appearance of werich are not fully known due to the fragmentary nature of the fossil record, but it is believed to have been a relatively small shark, possibly comparable in size to modern-day dogfish or catsharks.

The scientific classification of werich places it within the extinct subclass Hybodonta, a group of sharks that dominated marine ecosystems for millions of years before being largely replaced by modern shark lineages. The extinction of werich, like many other Carboniferous fauna, is thought to be linked to major environmental changes that occurred at the end of that geological period. Studying werich helps scientists understand the evolution of sharks and the paleoecology of ancient oceans.