The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee have recently made headlines with their discovery of a new extinct species of hybodont shark from the Jaisalmer Basin of Rajasthan. The GSI, a scientific agency under the Ministry of Mines, serves as a valuable repository for geo-science information needed in various fields across India.
Introducing the Newly Discovered Species: Strophodusjaisalmerensis
The research team has christened newly discovered crushing teeth from Jaisalmer as Strophodusjaisalmerensis. This discovery marks the first time the genus Strophodus has been identified on the Indian subcontinent. Prior to this, there have only been two other identified records of this genus in Asia – one each from Japan and Thailand.
Importantly, these sharks are being reported for the first time from the Jurassic rocks of the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan. These rocks estimate to be approximately between 160 and 168 million years old, providing an intriguing glimpse into aquatic life during this bygone era.
A Look Back at Hybodont Sharks
Hybodont sharks were the dominant species occupying both marine and freshwater environments during the Triassic and early Jurassic periods. These creatures showcased a significant level of adaptability and resilience, successfully surviving and thriving in varying habitats.
However, a gradual decline was observed in their marine populations from the Middle Jurassic period. Their presence was diminished until they ended up becoming a relatively minor component of open-marine shark assemblages. Unfortunately, the hybodont sharks finally met their demise and became extinct at the end of what is known as the Cretaceous time, about 65 million years ago.
The Significance of the Fossil Discovery
The unearthing of the Strophodusjaisalmerensis fossil is more than just a new addition to the list of extinct species. It signifies an important achievement for the study of Jurassic vertebrate fossils in the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan. This discovery has opened up new avenues for further research in the domain of vertebrate fossils, providing a promising start for more in-depth exploration and analysis.
Understanding the Geological Time Scale
The geological time scale is a system used by scientists to describe the timing and relationships between events that have occurred throughout Earth’s history. This scale allows for a comprehensive understanding of the chronological sequence of geological events such as the extinction of species or the formation of new ones. In this context, it aids in accurately placing the existence and extinction of the hybodont shark within the Jurassic period and the later Cretaceous time.
This exciting discovery, the significance it holds for further research, and the broader geological time scale all contribute to our evolving understanding of Earth’s rich history and prehistoric ecosystem. As scientists continue to explore and uncover more about our planet’s past, each finding serves as a crucial piece of the vast puzzle that is Earth’s intricate and diverse ecological history.