Ancient Shark-Like Species Identified in 326-Million-Year-Old Fossil with Help from Cal Poly Humboldt Instructor

Researchers, including Cal Poly Humboldt Biology instructor Allison Bronson, have identified a new species of ancient shark, Cosmoselachus mehlingi, that lived 326 million years ago. The shark, named after Carl Mehling, features a mix of shark-like and ratfish characteristics, providing insight into the evolution of an enigmatic group of prehistoric fishes. The fossil specimen was collected in the 1970s and digitally reconstructed, shedding light on the morphological diversity of cartilaginous fishes following a major extinction event. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of early cartilaginous fish evolution and honors Mehling's contributions to paleontology.