Orthacanthus (lat.) Is a genus of extinct cartilaginous fish similar to sharks from the family of the Diplodoselachidae xenacantose order [1] . Some taxonomists distinguish the genus in the monotypic family Orthacanthidae Heyler & Poplin, 1989 .
| † orthacanthus |
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| Scientific classification |
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| No rank : | Bilateral symmetric |
| Nadotryad : | † Xenacantomorphs |
| Family: | † Diplodoselachidae |
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| International Scientific Name |
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Orthacanthus Agassiz , 1843 |
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In appearance resembled modern eels . A distinctive feature was the long dorsal fin. The length reached 3 meters. The powerful jaws were covered with a double row of teeth.
Were freshwater predators. They lived in rivers and swamps of North America , Europe, and Asia 314.6–66.0 million years ago [1] (from the Carboniferous to the Cretaceous ).
