Haimirichia is an extinct genus of mackerel shark from the late Cenomanian epoch of the Cretaceous period.[1] It currently contains a single species: H. amonensis. Teeth now assigned to this genus were originally attributed to the Odontaspis. Exquisitely preserved remains from the Akrabou Formation Lagerstätte in Agoult, Morocco allowed the species to be moved into a new genus and family.[2] Microscopic study revealed specialized dermal denticles likely used in electroreception.[3] Its tooth and head design suggest a lifestyle similar to the extant Whitetip reef shark, a novel one for Lamniformes. Roulletia has a similar tooth design and may be part of the same family, Haimirichiidae.[2]

Haimirichia
Temporal range: Cenomanian to Turonian
Articulated partial skeleton from the Akrabou Formation
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Haimirichiidae
Genus: Haimirichia
Vullo, Guinot, & Barbe, 2016

References

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  1. ^ "Haimirichia amonensis | Shark-References". shark-references.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  2. ^ a b Vullo, R.; Guinot, G.; Barbe, G. (2016). "The first articulated specimen of the Cretaceous mackerel shark Haimirichia amonensis gen. nov.(Haimirichiidae fam. nov.) reveals a novel ecomorphological adaptation within the Lamniformes (Elasmobranchii)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 14 (12): 1003–1024. Bibcode:2016JSPal..14.1003V. doi:10.1080/14772019.2015.1137983. S2CID 85788544. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  3. ^ Vullo, Romain; Guinot, Guillaume (2015-09-29). "Denticle-embedded ampullary organs in a Cretaceous shark provide unique insight into the evolution of elasmobranch electroreceptors". The Science of Nature. 102 (9): 65. Bibcode:2015SciNa.102...65V. doi:10.1007/s00114-015-1315-2. ISSN 1432-1904. PMID 26420508. S2CID 8912042.