Sharks in the dark: Paleontological resource inventory reveals multiple successive Mississippian Subperiod cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) assemblages within Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

A paleontological resource inventory of Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, has uncovered a rich diversity of Mississippian Subperiod marine vertebrate fossils, particularly cartilaginous fishes (sharks and kin), with over 70 species identified—90% of which are sharks. This discovery reveals multiple successive assemblages of ancient fish, correcting outdated records from the late 19th century. The study highlights Mammoth Cave as a significant site for understanding fish assemblage changes during the formation of Pangea. Researchers conducted a focused search across four primary horizons, two of which had no prior fossil records, providing new insights into regional paleontology.

Hodnett, J.-P. M., Toomey, R., Olson, R., Tolleson, K., Boldon, R., Wood, J., Tweet, J. S., & Santucci, V. L. (2024). Sharks in the dark: Paleontological resource inventory reveals multiple successive Mississippian Subperiod cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) assemblages within Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. Parks Stewardship Forum, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.5070/p540162921