Discover why scientists now use Otodus megalodon instead of Carcharocles megalodon, and learn how this change reshapes our view of this giant shark. As a boy, I read about the giant prehistoric shark Carcharocles megalodon – often referred to as megalodon. However, research has led to a revision of this taxon. The species is referred to as Otodus megalodon. This change reflects a deeper understanding of shark evolution and how this ancient lamniform fits into the fossil record.
The PNSO large megalodon model “Patton” being held by an Everything Dinosaur team member. This giant member of the Lamniformes has inspired many model makers. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The image (above) shows an early prehistoric shark model from the Chinese company PNSO.
To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models in stock: PNSO Prehistoric Animal Models.
Otodus megalodon Instead of Carcharocles megalodon
The taxonomic history of this ancient shark is complicated. Fossil material was assigned to Carcharias megalodon by Louis Agassiz in 1835. Fossils, mainly teeth were subsequently assigned to Carcharodon, and this largely remained the case until some authors erected Carcharocles megalodon around fifteen years ago. Most of these studies placed megalodon within the same group as the great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias. Yet, new evidence tells a different story. Fossil teeth and jaw structures show that Otodus megalodon was part of the Otodontidae family, not directly related to modern great white sharks.
The Paleobiology Database resource records the use of O. megalodon in a paper published in 2015 (Reinecke and Radwanski).
This family line began with Otodus obliquus, a shark that lived more than 55 million years ago (Eocene Epoch). Over time, its descendants evolved larger, sharper teeth and greater size. Eventually, this lineage gave rise to Otodus megalodon, one of the largest marine predators known to science.
To read a blog post from 2018 about the ancestors of this shark lineage: On the Trail of Megalodon Ancestors.
Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:
“The name changes, but the legend remains. Fossilised teeth of this giant shark inspire fear and awe. They remind us that there was a time when the oceans of the world were ruled by this enormous shark.”
The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Figures.
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