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removed "almost" from statement "approximately almost one meter long."
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m Appox could be over a metre, almost means near but not over, which is what was intended.
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'''''Stethacanthus''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of [[shark]] which lived in the Late [[Devonian]] and Early [[Carboniferous]] epochs, around 360 million years ago. The creature was approximately one meter long. It probably hunted smaller creatures such as small [[fish]].
'''''Stethacanthus''''' is an extinct [[genus]] of [[shark]] which lived in the Late [[Devonian]] and Early [[Carboniferous]] epochs, around 360 million years ago. The creature was amost one [[metre|meter]] long. It probably hunted smaller creatures such as small [[fish]].


''Stethacanthus'' is best known for its unusually shaped dorsal fin, which resembles an anvil or ironing board. Small spikes (enlarged versions of the [[dermal denticle]]s commonly covering shark skin) covered this crest, and the shark's head as well. Some scientists think the crest may have had a function in courtship; others think it may have been used for self defence.
''Stethacanthus'' is best known for its unusually shaped [[dorsal fin]], which resembles an [[anvil]] or ironing board. Small spikes (enlarged versions of the [[dermal denticle]]s commonly covering shark skin) covered this crest, and the shark's head as well. Some scientists think the crest may have had a function in courtship; others think it may have been used for self defence.


==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
In the [[2003]] TV [[documentary film|documentary]] ''[[Sea Monsters]]'', a spin-off from the [[1999]] series ''[[Walking With Dinosaurs]]'', a ''Stethacanthus'' was briefly shown circling a large [[shark cage]] before being scared away by a much larger ''[[Dunkleosteus]]''. It reappeared in the [[2005]] prequel series ''[[Walking With Monsters]]'', attacking a ''[[Hynerpeton]]'', only to be eaten by a ''[[Hyneria]]''.
* In the [[2003]] TV [[documentary film|documentary]] ''[[Sea Monsters]]'', a spin-off from the [[1999]] series ''[[Walking With Dinosaurs]]'', a ''Stethacanthus'' was briefly shown circling a large [[shark cage]] before being scared away by a much larger ''[[Dunkleosteus]]''. It reappeared in the [[2005]] prequel series ''[[Walking With Monsters]]'', attacking a ''[[Hynerpeton]]'', only to be eaten by a ''[[Hyneria]]''.
* ''Stethacanthus'' was featured in ''[[Paleoworld]]'', Episode 5 as the first hunting shark, yet prey for predators like the ''[[Rizodont]]''


[[Category:Sharks]]
''Stethacanthus'' was featured in ''[[Paleoworld]]'', Episode 5 as the first hunting shark, yet prey for predators like the ''[[Rizodont]]''

[[Category:sharks]]
[[Category:Symmoriida]]
[[Category:Symmoriida]]
[[Category:Prehistoric fish]]
[[Category:Prehistoric fish]]

Revision as of 09:13, 3 March 2007

Stethacanthus
Temporal range: Late Devonian to Late Carboniferous
Fossil
Scientific classification
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Stethacanthus

Template:Paleobox Template:Sharksportal Stethacanthus is an extinct genus of shark which lived in the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous epochs, around 360 million years ago. The creature was amost one meter long. It probably hunted smaller creatures such as small fish.

Stethacanthus is best known for its unusually shaped dorsal fin, which resembles an anvil or ironing board. Small spikes (enlarged versions of the dermal denticles commonly covering shark skin) covered this crest, and the shark's head as well. Some scientists think the crest may have had a function in courtship; others think it may have been used for self defence.