Sharpnose Sevengill Shark Jaw ex Dr. Gordon Hubbell

A sharpnose sevengill shark jaw, from a slender, deepwater shark with a narrow, pointed snout, growing up to about 4.6 ft in length. It's one of the few sharks with seven gill slits instead of the usual five, a trait shared with one of the most primitive living shark lineages. The upper teeth are narrow and hook-shaped with small serrations, while the lower teeth are broad and comb-like, built for gripping and slicing prey. An unusual, ancient looking species, this jaw stands out for collectors wanting something outside the typical modern shark lineup.

This jaw is from the collection of Dr. Gordon Hubbell. He first taught me how to prepare jaws in the early 1990's. I've been fortunate enough to acquire some of his collection that is not going to the University of Florida. Most of these jaws and teeth on this site have been either on display or stored away for decades in Gordon's collection.