More relevantly, the fossil records for sharks are mostly their teeth and jaws, because all their other bones are cartilage and rarely fossilize.
“Sharks haven’t significantly evolved in appearance in 350 million years” is therefore based on reconstructions made under the assumption that the old sharks mostly looked like current sharks, which may or may not be true.
Though we can get a surprising amount of information that way, for example one change is that their jaws used be more at the end of their snout instead of more underslung like today, like so:
They are bottom-dwelling fish, living down to 200 m (660 ft), although they can be found in much shallower water. Most species are around 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) in length. They have an unusually solid skull, and many species also possess armored plates on their bodies. Another distinctive feature is the presence of a “drumming muscle” that makes sounds by beating against the swim bladder
And then you add the fact that sharks have barely evolved because they’ve been the perfect silent killer since the dawn of time.
Another fun fact:
Sharks don’t make sound. They don’t have any organ for the purpose of making sound. That is creepy as all hell.
Just because they didn’t change their appearance doesnt mean they did not evolve. It is somewhat misleading to say that, but conveys a point I guess.
I made sure to say barely instead of not at all, but you’re right, there was certainly some evolution happening
More relevantly, the fossil records for sharks are mostly their teeth and jaws, because all their other bones are cartilage and rarely fossilize.
“Sharks haven’t significantly evolved in appearance in 350 million years” is therefore based on reconstructions made under the assumption that the old sharks mostly looked like current sharks, which may or may not be true.
Though we can get a surprising amount of information that way, for example one change is that their jaws used be more at the end of their snout instead of more underslung like today, like so:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/new-technologies-reveal-strange-jaws-prehistoric-sharks-180977396
You’ll note the Goblin Shark still has hints of that design.
That can’t be true. I distinctly remember the shark in Jaws: The Revenge roaring. So get your facts straight.
And it always plays this ominous music when approaching their prey.
Sharks played the cello one billion years before the Big Bang occurred.
Just to get in the zone when hunting
Do any fish?
Yes, actually. Example: Triglidae