ANCIENT SHARKS FOUND FROM KENTUCKY

Kentucky scientists found an ancient species of sharks called Macadens olsoni in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky on July 30th. This small shark lived 340 to 350 million years ago and has a spiral-shaped tooth whorl used to crush small creatures.

A Shark Week 2025 special on the Discovery Channel titled “Black Mako of the Abyss” had a new and not familiar shark species. A shark tagger encountered a big, dark-skinned shark that experts studied to determine it. The shark was named after the national park where its fossil was found, Macadens references the park’s name, Mammoth Cave. It also takes part of its name, Olsoni, from Rickard Olson a scientist that retired , who helped organise research and ideelodus coxanus, now renamed Rotuladens, meaning “Wheel Tooth.” This species identifies shark fossils at the park.

In addition to Macadens olsoni, “researchers studied another ancient shark, Hs similarities with Macadens olsoni and highlights the diversity of ancient marine life.”- Whas11. Researchers say it grows less than a foot long, and it survives by eating molluscs and worms. The rocks that made the Mammoth Cave formed 320 to 350 million years ago in the area under a shallow saltwater body known as the Mississippian Sea.

“The discovery of Macadens olsoni gives insights into the old marine life that inhabited the area long ago when Mammoth Cave was submerged in a shallow sea. “says Google News. This discovery adds to the national park’s significance and emphasizes the importance of studying natural history.