Cestracion

/sɛˈstreɪʃən/ noun

Definition

An extinct genus of shark-like fish from the Paleozoic era.

Etymology

From Greek kestron (spear) + the suffix -action, referring to the tooth structure that resembles a spear or javelin.

Kelly Says

Cestracionts were 'batoid sharks'—an ancient branch of sharks that evolved teeth specialized for crushing shellfish, and they ruled the oceans for 200 million years before disappearing!

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