Dykeius fossil map
Where fossils of Dykeius have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 75 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 75 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Ancient fish & sharks |
|---|---|
| Lived | 83.6–72.2 million years ago (Campanian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Chlamydoselachidae |
| Named by | Cappetta et al. 2019 |
| Fossil records | 2 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Canada |
| Rock formations | Northumberland |
About Dykeius
Dykeius is an extinct genus of large shark in the family Chlamydoselachidae. It contains a single known species, D. garethi, from the Late Cretaceous Northumberland Formation of Canada. The genus and species names honor paleontologist Gareth J. Dyke.
It was a gigantic relative of the modern frilled shark (genus Chlamydoselachus). The teeth are much larger than those of any other known chlamydoselachid species, and comparison with modern frilled sharks estimates a total body size of at least 7 metres (23 ft).
As with modern frilled sharks, it appears to have inhabited a deepwater environment. It is one of several giant frilled sharks known from the Late Cretaceous, along with Rolfodon goliath and undescribed taxa known from teeth, suggesting that such large sharks were not uncommon. It may have been specialized to hunt large cephalopods such as certain belemnites and ammonites, and eventually went extinct due to the disappearance of its prey.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Dykeius (revision 1314239420), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q123685455.
