''Pseudocorax'' is an extinct
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
mackerel sharks
The Lamniformes (, from Greek ''lamna'' "fish of prey") are an order of sharks commonly known as mackerel sharks (which may also refer specifically to the family Lamnidae). It includes some of the most familiar species of sharks, such as the gre ...
that lived during the
Late Cretaceous
The Late Cretaceous (100.5–66 Ma) is the younger of two epochs into which the Cretaceous Period is divided in the geologic time scale. Rock strata from this epoch form the Upper Cretaceous Series. The Cretaceous is named after ''creta'', the ...
. It contains six valid species that have been found in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and North America.
It was formerly assigned to the family
Anacoracidae
Anacoracidae is a family of extinct mackerel sharks that lived during the Cretaceous. It includes four valid genera: '' Nanocorax'', '' Ptychocorax'', ''Scindocorax'', and ''Squalicorax''. Two previously-included genera, ''Galeocorax'' and ''Pse ...
, but is now placed in its own family
Pseudocoracidae
Pseudocoracidae is a family of extinct mackerel sharks that lived during the Late Cretaceous. It includes two genera, ''Galeocorax'' and ''Pseudocorax
''Pseudocorax'' is an extinct genus of mackerel sharks that lived during the Late Cretaceou ...
along with ''
Galeocorax
''Galeocorax'' is an extinct genus of mackerel sharks that lived during the Late Cretaceous. It contains a single valid species, ''G. jaekeli'', that has been found in Europe and North America
North America is a continent in the No ...
''.
The former species "''P''." ''australis'' and "''P''." ''primulus'' have been reidentified as species of ''
Echinorhinus
''Echinorhinus'' is the only extant genus in the family Echinorhinidae.
Taxonomy
Echinorhinidae are traditionally classified in the order Squaliformes, together with kitefin and gulper sharks.Compagno, 2005. "Sharks of the World". However, a ...
'' and ''
Squalicorax
''Squalicorax'', commonly known as the crow shark, is a genus of extinct lamniform shark known to have lived during the Cretaceous period. The genus had a global distribution in the Late Cretaceous epoch. Multiple species within this genus are c ...
'', respectively.
References
Lamniformes
Cretaceous sharks
Cretaceous fish of Europe
Prehistoric shark genera
Mooreville Chalk
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