Helicoprion (H. ergassaminon, 'Spiral Saw') is a genus of extinct cartilaginous fish that resembled sharks in appearance and behaviour. This genus first emerged in the Late Carboniferous oceans, approximately 290 million years ago, and survived the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, which occurred about 252 million years ago. However, it finally became extinct in the Late Triassic, approximately 225 million years ago.
Helicoprion's most notable feature is its "dental rosette", which is a spiral-shaped structure found on the lower jaw. This rosette consists of a series of blade-like teeth arranged in a tight spiral, which has led to many interpretations and debates as to how this structure worked.
Helicoprion's body was similar to that of modern sharks, with a cartilaginous skeleton and a streamlined body adapted for marine life. It is believed that Helicoprion was a carnivorous predator that fed on other fish and marine animals, although its exact way of feeding has not yet been determined with certainty due to the peculiarity of its dental structure.
Helicoprion is estimated to have been around 3 to 5 meters in length, although some smaller species have also been identified. The closed whorl of teeth on the dental rosette suggests that Helicoprion could use it as a rotary cutting tool to trap and tear apart prey.
The Model pose represents a Helicoprion swimming with undulating movements.
Approximate measurements of the Helicoprion:
- Scale 1:35 Assembly kit - 136 x 88 x 79 mm H
