A sophisticated study was recently promulgated in the scientific journal ‘Geodiversitas’, recounting the discovery of a new, antediluvian species of shark, cosmic in its infusion into our understanding of a cryptic and peculiar assembly of primeval aquatic life. The fossil, unearthed in Arkansas approximately 45 years ago, supplies a noteworthy piece to the puzzle.
“The unusual, almost alien-like, anatomy of these creatures depicts the remnants of a once thriving ecosystem, which blossomed post an extinction event that devastated fish species at the culmination of the Devonian Period,” elucidates Allison Bronson, a Biology instructor at Cal Poly Humboldt, and the frontrunner of this groundbreaking study.
The newly discovered species, coined as ‘Cosmoselachus mehlingi’, inhabited Earth 326 million years in history’s rearview mirror. As an homage, it is named after Carl Mehling, a seasoned specialist at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), revered for his more than three-decade-long dedication to the institution’s Paleontology Division.
“He’s a man with an insatiable curiosity for the quirkiest and most mysterious products of evolution, and has been an indispensable mentor to countless paleontology students,” claims Bronson. Pleasingly, recognizing his passion, the team named this ‘weird old dead fish’ after him.
Contrarily, the moniker ‘Cosmoselachus’ is derived from Mehling’s nickname, “Cosm”. It symbolizes a tribute to his relentless zeal for uncommon vertebrates, numerous commendable discoveries of fossil chondrichthyans, along with his indomitable service to paleontology.
Professor Bronson, alongside peers from the AMNH, University of Florida, and the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle in France, meticulously scrutinized a fossil specimen, excavated back in the 70s. Its collectors, the husband-wife duo of Royal and Gene Mapes, were research scientists and academicians at Ohio University, who bequeathed their collection to the AMNH in 2013.
The anatomical breakdown of ‘Cosmoselachus’ involved CT-scanning the fossil at AMNH and a digital reconstitution at AMNH and Cal Poly Humboldt. This arduous task entailed the identification of dozens of minuscule cartilage fragments. Eventually, the researchers successfully nestled the specimen into the phylogenetic tree of incipient cartilaginous fishes.
Suddenly, the importance of ‘Cosmoselachus’ became apparent. It uncovered clues towards comprehending the development of a nebulous group called symmoriiforms, a subspecies suspected to have affiliations with both sharks and ratfish. While ‘Cosmoselachus’ displayed predominantly sharklike traits, the extended cartilage forming the gill cover is a feature usually exclusive to ratfish.
The structure and position of these fauna remains are critical to Bronson’s team, who has concentrated their recent research on fishes from this fossil-rich formation. “We’re thrilled to orient our investigation around this formation due to the exceptional preservation of the fossils and their pivotal stance in history,” Bronson states.
Teaching courses in Biology and Fisheries at Cal Poly Humboldt, Bronson emphasizes evolution, zoology, and a distinct class on Ichthyology tailored towards the study of Sharks and Rays. “It’s an honor to share my research discoveries with my students, who not only grasp these intricate concepts but display an avid interest in learning about these creatures,” she expounds.
Reveling in the opportunity to christen the species after someone like Mehling who has contributed so much to paleontology, Bronson says, “Science, for many of us, is ultimately about the joy of unearthing new knowledge and collaborating with friends. Naming a species after someone who’s been an integral part of our community is an extraordinary privilege.”
