Tiger Shark(Modern) Tooth ID#50

Common Name: Tiger Shark(Modern)

Scientific Name: Galeocerdo cuvier

Epoch:Miocene, Pliocene

Fossil Type: Tooth

Fossil Size: 0.91 Inches 2.3 cm

Location Found: Florida

Info about Galeocerdo

    Galeocerdo is the genus that contains the modern tiger shark and its 22 (known) extinct relatives. The Galeocerdo genus has been around since the early eocene (56mya). The modern tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is one of the largest extant shark species in the ocean at 5.5 meters (18ft).They are known for being opportunistic apex predators. Preying on pretty much anything they can get a hold of such as dolphins, turtles, fish, & squid. Despite that shark attacks from this species let alone any shark species are quite rare. On average 64 shark related injuries (by all sharks) occur a year along with a few fatalities. However, tiger shark attacks do account for 15% of the global confirmed unprovoked shark attacks at 103 injuries and 39 fatalities, second only to the great white.

References:

Holmes, B. J., Sumpton, W. D., Mayer, D. G., Tibbetts, I. R., Neil, D. T., & Bennett, M. B. (2012). Declining trends in annual catch rates of the Tiger Shark (galeocerdo cuvier) in Queensland, Australia. Fisheries Research, 129–130, 38–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2012.06.005

Species implicated in attacks. International Shark Attack File. (n.d.). https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/factors/species-implicated/

Tiger shark. Discover Fishes. (n.d.). https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/tiger-shark/

Türtscher, J., López-Romero, F. A., Jambura, P. L., Kindlimann, R., Ward, D. J., & Kriwet, J. (2021, March 24). Evolution, diversity, and disparity of the Tiger Shark Lineage Galeocerdo in deep time: Paleobiology. Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/paleobiology/article/evolution-diversity-and-disparity-of-the-tiger-shark-lineage-galeocerdo-in-deep-time/D42176A6C64C1D49D803396B88C46F6A