Description
Rare Carboniferous Shark Tooth Fossil Cederstroemia triangulata
This remarkable Cederstroemia triangulata shark tooth fossil originates from Carboniferous deposits of Tambov Oblast, Russia, representing an exceptionally rare example of an early prehistoric shark from more than 300 million years ago. Fossils from this period provide a fascinating glimpse into ancient marine ecosystems that existed long before the age of dinosaurs.
The fossil displays the characteristic triangular tooth form typical of this species and has been naturally preserved within the sedimentary rock in which it was discovered.
The photograph shows the exact specimen you will receive, making this a carefully selected fossil ideal for collectors of rare palaeozoic material, educational collections, or enthusiasts interested in early vertebrate evolution.
Full sizing can be seen in the accompanying photographs.
This specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the fossil is a genuine natural specimen.
The Ancient Shark Species Cederstroemia triangulata
Cederstroemia triangulata represents an early species of prehistoric shark that lived during the Carboniferous Period, a time when vast tropical seas covered large parts of the Earth. Sharks during this era belonged to primitive lineages that differed considerably from modern species.
Scientific classification includes:
- Class: Chondrichthyes
- Order: Petalodontiformes
- Genus: Cederstroemia
- Species: Cederstroemia triangulata
Petalodont sharks were an extinct group of early cartilaginous fishes that thrived during the Carboniferous and Permian periods. They are known primarily from fossilised teeth, which display unusual shapes compared with modern shark teeth.
These sharks likely occupied a specialised ecological niche within the marine ecosystems of the time.
Distinctive Tooth Morphology
The teeth of Cederstroemia triangulata are distinctive and easily recognisable due to their unique triangular crown shape.
Key morphological features include:
- Broad triangular crown profile
- Smooth cutting edges
- Robust base for anchoring within the jaw
- Thick enamel surface formed during fossilisation
- Compact structure typical of petalodont sharks
Unlike the serrated slicing teeth of later sharks, these teeth likely functioned as crushing or gripping tools, allowing the animal to feed on shelled marine organisms such as brachiopods, molluscs and other invertebrates.
Because sharks possess cartilaginous skeletons that rarely fossilise, teeth like this are often the only remains preserved in the fossil record, making them extremely important for understanding early shark evolution.
Geological Age and Carboniferous Environment
This fossil originates from Carboniferous marine deposits in Tambov Oblast, Russia, dating to a period approximately 359 to 299 million years ago.
Geological details include:
- Period: Carboniferous
- Age: Over 300 million years old
- Locality: Tambov Oblast, Russia
During the Carboniferous Period, much of the region was covered by shallow tropical seas rich in marine life. These environments supported diverse communities of early fishes, sharks, brachiopods, crinoids and molluscs.
When sharks shed teeth throughout their lives, the teeth sank to the seabed and became buried in sediment. Over millions of years, mineralisation transformed these teeth into fossils preserved within the rock record.
The deposits of Russia have produced a variety of early shark remains, offering valuable insights into the evolution of cartilaginous fishes.
Fossil Preservation and Mineralisation
Carboniferous shark teeth often show strong mineralisation due to the geological processes that occurred during fossilisation.
Typical preservation features include:
- Dark mineralised enamel
- Strong structural preservation of the crown
- Dense fossil composition due to mineral replacement
- Natural surface textures formed during fossilisation
These preservation characteristics make Carboniferous shark teeth particularly durable and visually striking specimens.
A Rare Fossil from the Age of Ancient Seas
Shark fossils from the Carboniferous Period are considerably rarer than those from later geological periods. Specimens such as Cederstroemia triangulata represent some of the earliest evidence of specialised shark dentition and provide important clues about the evolutionary development of marine predators.
Fossils from Tambov Oblast, Russia are sought after by collectors because they originate from well-known palaeozoic fossil localities that have yielded rare early vertebrate remains.
Whether displayed as a centrepiece in a fossil collection, studied for its scientific importance, or appreciated as a natural relic from Earth’s distant past, this rare Carboniferous shark tooth fossil represents a remarkable piece of prehistoric marine history.
The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive.
All fossils sold are 100% genuine natural specimens and include a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card.






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