Sharks, the majestic rulers of the oceans, have graced the Earth's waters for far longer than previously believed. These formidable creatures have been evolving for approximately 450 million years, a timeline equivalent to circling the galaxy twice. This astonishing longevity places them on this planet before the emergence of trees and even predates Saturn's iconic rings.
The evolutionary success of sharks can be attributed to their remarkable adaptability to various environmental conditions and their ability to thrive in different oceans and depths.
"I believe this is due to sharks' ability to exploit a range of aquatic territories, from the deep sea and dark abysses to shallow waters and even river systems," remarked Emma Bernard, a fossil fish curator at the National History Museum, as quoted by IFL Science on Sunday (25/2/2024).
"They consume a wide array of prey including plankton, fish, crabs, seals, and even whales. This diversity means that sharks, as a group, are more likely to survive changing oceanic conditions," she explained.
One of the longest-living shark species, the Greenland shark, is a prehistoric marvel. Scientists have recently discovered that they can live up to approximately 400 years. However, the earliest known sharks emerged about 100 million years ago, at a time when their kind had already spread far and wide across the Earth.
Throughout their existence, sharks have exhibited a unique array of morphologies, from the peculiar spiral-toothed Helicoprion to the formidable warm-blooded megalodon.
Interestingly, for a long time, the megalodon was thought to be a robust, predatory behemoth. However, recent research has revealed that they were actually sleek, elongated predators.
Scientists continue to unearth ancient remnants of sharks worldwide. Although often limited to teeth, some specimens are truly remarkable. One such example is a manganese-encrusted megalodon tooth found at a depth of approximately 3,090 meters.
Over the span of approximately 450 million years, they have endured and adapted. Sharks have displayed some remarkably unconventional behaviors. In 2022, footage emerged of a shark 'walking' on land as if it were no big deal.
At least nine species of sharks are known to use their fins to maneuver in shallow waters, with some even making brief forays onto land. Sharks seem to have an abundance of peculiar tricks up their fins, predicted to rival those of stingrays.
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