Umayodus

Umayodus is a genus of extinct shark belonging to the family Ptychodontidae. These sharks lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 99 to 66 million years ago. Fossils of Umayodus have been found in locations such as North America, indicating a widespread distribution during that geologic period.

The genus is characterized primarily by its distinctive teeth, which are large, flat, and designed for crushing hard-shelled prey like mollusks and crustaceans. The tooth morphology is a key feature used to identify and classify Umayodus. Specific details regarding tooth structure, such as the ridge patterns and overall shape, differentiate Umayodus from other related genera within Ptychodontidae.

The diet of Umayodus, based on the morphology of its teeth, is inferred to have been durophagous, specializing in consuming organisms with robust exoskeletons or shells. This ecological niche likely played a significant role in the marine ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous.

Our understanding of Umayodus is largely based on isolated teeth, as complete skeletal remains are rare. Future discoveries of more complete fossils could potentially provide further insights into the anatomy, behavior, and evolutionary relationships of this extinct shark genus.