Campbellton shark fossil attracts New York scientist

An American scientist is hoping to use medical technology to better understand the inner workings of a prehistoric shark found near Campbellton.

The 400-million-year old shark is the oldest known intact shark fossil in the world.

Detail of shark fossil. (file)

John Maisey, a paleontologist with the American Museum of Natural History in New York, has travelled around the world to look at old sharks and says the Campbelton fossils are unique. "They are, in fact, some of the oldest known skeletons of early sharks, which makes them really important for us to study."

The Campbelton specimen is the size of a small, modern shark. It is a rare find, because it includes skin, cartilage and bone. Because sharks are mostly cartilage, they don't usually fossilize well.

The scientific journal Nature published a paper about the fossil in 2003. It was discovered in 1997 by New Brunswick geologist Randy Miller.

• FROM OCT. 6, 2003: Ancient shark provides clues to Darwin's mystery

Maisey says modern medical equipment will allow him to learn more about how sharks have evolved. He plans to use a CT scan – a series of X-rays taken at slightly different angles and then combined using a computer – to create a cross-sectional image of the fossil.

"Obviously we can't chop it up or section it mechanically, but CT scanning allows us to look inside the fossil to see its anatomy in greater detail."

The shark has been encased in rock for 400 million years. It is almost flat and Maisey says a CT scan will allow him to construct a three-dimensional picture. "You can then reconstruct the thing and digitally manipulate the images. You can restore it to its original, or as close to as possible, shape."

Maisey says he'll travel to Saint John this summer to study the shark, and make a trip to Campbelton to examine the site where it was found.

7:15 AM - 4/20/2006 - post comment