Rare Hybodus Shark Jaw Fossil with Teeth Jurassic Lyme Regis Dorset UK Lower Lias Genuine Hybodont Shark Fossil Black Ven Specimen with COA

Description

Rare Hybodus Shark Jaw with Teeth – Lower Lias, Black Ven, Lyme Regis

Presented here is a rare Hybodus shark jaw fossil with preserved teeth, discovered at Black Ven near Lyme Regis, Dorset, England, along the world-famous Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. This remarkable specimen originates from the Lower Lias deposits of the Early Jurassic, dating to approximately 201–190 million years ago, when much of southern Britain was covered by warm shallow seas.

Complete or partial shark jaw fossils are significantly rarer than isolated teeth, making this specimen a particularly desirable find for collectors of Jurassic vertebrate fossils. The fossil has been carefully selected for quality and display, and the listing photograph clearly shows the exact fossil you will receive.

The specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that the fossil is genuine.

Full dimensions and scale can be seen in the listing photographs.

Hybodus – A Distinctive Jurassic Shark

The fossil belongs to the extinct shark genus Hybodus, a member of the family Hybodontidae within the order Hybodontiformes. Hybodont sharks were widespread and highly successful marine predators that thrived during the Triassic and Jurassic periods.

Unlike many modern sharks, hybodonts possessed a mixture of anatomical features that set them apart from modern shark lineages. Their bodies were typically streamlined for active swimming, and they often possessed prominent dorsal spines and distinctive teeth adapted for varied diets.

Key characteristics of Hybodus sharks include:

• Slender streamlined body adapted for marine environments

• Strong jaws equipped with multiple tooth types

• Defensive dorsal fin spines

• Specialized teeth suited to different feeding strategies

These sharks occupied an important ecological role within Jurassic marine ecosystems as mid-level predators.

Jaw Structure and Dentition

The preserved jaw with teeth offers a rare glimpse into the feeding anatomy of Hybodus sharks. Unlike isolated teeth, jaw fragments provide valuable evidence for how the teeth were arranged and functioned within the mouth.

Hybodus dentition commonly included:

• Tall central cusps for grasping prey

• Smaller lateral cusplets flanking the main tooth

• Strong enamel ridges providing structural strength

• Robust tooth roots anchored in the jaw cartilage

This combination allowed Hybodus to capture and hold prey effectively. Their diet likely consisted of fish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and other marine organisms.

Because shark skeletons were composed mainly of cartilage, which rarely fossilises, the preservation of jaw material with teeth is a particularly noteworthy example of Jurassic shark anatomy.

Lower Lias Formation – Early Jurassic Marine Environment

This fossil originates from the Lower Lias Group, one of the most famous fossil-bearing geological formations in Europe. These rocks were deposited during the Early Jurassic Period, specifically the Hettangian to Sinemurian stages, approximately 201–190 million years ago.

At that time, southern Britain lay beneath a warm epicontinental sea connected to the Tethys Ocean. Fine marine sediments accumulated on the seafloor, forming layers of mudstone and marl that now make up the cliffs of the Dorset coast.

The Lower Lias preserves an exceptionally diverse marine fauna including:

• Marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs

• Numerous ammonite species used for stratigraphic dating

• Belemnites and other cephalopods

• Bony fish and sharks

• Crustaceans and other marine invertebrates

These fossil-rich deposits are subdivided into detailed ammonite biozones, which allow scientists to determine the precise geological age of fossils.

Black Ven – A Historic Jurassic Fossil Site

The fossil was recovered from Black Ven, one of the most productive fossil cliffs near Lyme Regis. This large landslip complex exposes extensive sections of the Lower Lias, making it one of the most important Jurassic fossil localities in Britain.

The Lyme Regis area has played a central role in the history of palaeontology. Fossils discovered here during the early 19th century by pioneering collector Mary Anning helped transform scientific understanding of prehistoric marine reptiles and ancient marine life.

Even today, coastal erosion and landslips continue to expose new fossil-bearing layers along the cliffs.

Fossilisation and Preservation

Shark skeletal material is rarely preserved because sharks possess cartilaginous skeletons rather than bone. However, highly mineralised structures such as teeth and certain jaw components can fossilise under favourable conditions.

When these remains settled on the sea floor, they became buried in soft marine sediment. Over millions of years, mineralisation preserved the structures within the surrounding rock.

Specimens such as this provide valuable evidence for understanding the anatomy and feeding behaviour of Jurassic sharks.

Authenticity and Collector Information

• Genuine fossil specimen – not a cast or replica

• Fossil Type: Hybodus Shark Jaw with Teeth

• Family: Hybodontidae

• Order: Hybodontiformes

• Geological Formation: Lower Lias Group

• Age: Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian), approximately 201–190 million years old

• Locality: Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, United Kingdom

• Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card

• The exact fossil shown in the photographs is the specimen you will receive

This rare Hybodus shark jaw with teeth from the famous Jurassic Coast represents an exceptional addition to any Jurassic fossil collection, fossil shark display, or natural history cabinet, preserving a fascinating example of Early Jurassic marine life from the ancient seas of southern Britain.