Considered the most complete and old of its ever found.
News Colombia.
A team of Colombian scientists recently revealed the discovery of a giant shark fossil in Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, considered the most complete and old of its ever found. The specimen belongs to the protolamna species Ricaurtei, a lamniform shark that inhabited the seas of the Early Cretaceous approximately 114 million years ago. This discovery has been classified as a jewel of world paleontology, for the quality of fossil conservation and the valuable scientific information it offers.
See: Caverna in Santander hides fossil of a huge lazy who lived more than 5,000 years ago in Colombia
The fossil was originally discovered in 1993 by an inhabitant of the Cañuela village, in La Loma La Catalina, but remained without being studied in depth for years. It was only until 2018 that he was given to the National University of Colombia, where a team led by the paleontologist Jorge D. Carrillo Briceño initiated a detailed analysis that was extended for more than seven years. The results of the study were recently published in the scientific journal Cretaceous Research.
#Somoscience In Villa de Leyva they identify giant shark fossil of 114 million years ago 🦴 The oldest giant shark of the Lamniform order known in the world, is a true treasure of Colombian paleontological heritage 👉 https://t.co/5k3fd1jkol | @Prensaunal pic.twitter.com/uffwhpx7wc
– National University of Colombia (@unaloForcial) SEPTEMBER 29, 2025
The copy measures about 6.65 meters in length and has an exceptional preservation level. It retains 107 articulated vertebrae, numerous teeth, dermal denticles (scales), and soft tissue remains such as cartilage, muscles and even skin, an extremely unusual fact in shark fossils. This level of detail will allow scientists to learn more about their anatomy, growth, reproductive habits and even their ecology.
One of the most striking conclusions of the study is that, despite the large size of the shark, their teeth were relatively small, which doubts the traditional association between dental size and body size in extinct species. This finding could force reassessing size estimates in other fossil sharks known only by isolated teeth. It was also found that P. Ricaurtei was a high seas predator, adapted to a warm and deep marine atmosphere.
The environment where fossil was found, straw formation, is one of the most important paleontological deposits in Colombia and Latin America. In this region, marine reptiles, turtles, fish and other sharks have already been discovered, demonstrating that the Altiplano Cundiboyacense was covered by a tropical sea more than 100 million years ago. With each new finding, both the natural wealth of Villa de Leyva and its potential as a destination for scientific and educational tourism are reaffirmed.
This discovery not only enriches knowledge about the evolution of sharks, but also highlights the importance of conserving and supporting research in Colombian geological heritage. Local and academic authorities already discuss ways to exhibit fossil to the public, which could make it a scientific attraction of great interest for both visitors and the international research community.
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