Sarcoprion

{{Taxobox
| name = Sarcoprion
| image = Sarcoprion2DB.jpg
| image_caption = Reconstruction of Sarcoprion edax| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Chordata
| classis = Chondrichthyes
| ordo = †Eugeneodontiformes
| familia = †Helicoprionidae
| genus = †Sarcoprion| genus_authority = Nielsen, 1952
| species = †S. edax| binomial = †Sarcoprion edax| binomial_authority = Nielsen, 1952
| fossil_range = Wuchiapingian, 259–254 Ma
| domain = Eukaryota
| subclassis = Holocephali
}}Sarcoprion is an extinct genus of eugeneodontid holocephalans from the Permian of Greenland. Like other eugeneodonts in the Helicoprionidae family such as Agassizodus and Helicoprion, Sarcoprion possessed tooth whorls on the symphysis of the jaw. Its only species is S. edax.

 Classification Sarcoprion edax was first described in 1952, based on fossil remains found in Greenland in areas of land dating back to the end of the Permian.

 Description Sarcoprion had a thin, pointed snout with small tooth whorls. However, the tooth spiral had a significant size reduction and extent here compared to the other taxa. Sarcoprion had two pectoral fins and a triangular dorsal fin on its top. Abdominal and anal fins were not present. Behind the lower jaw were five slightly curved gill slits.
The tooth whorl on the lower jaw bore sharp, compact tooth crowns, while a row of backward facing, triangular teeth was present on the roof of the mouth. The preserved material does not show evidence of a distinct upper jaw, implying it may have been fused to the cranium, reduced, or lost entirely.

The most complete known specimen of Sarcoprion consists only of a partial cranium and lower jaws.

Unlike the more famous genus Helicoprion, the spiral was not complete but instead arranged in a semicircle.

 Behavior 
Similar to today's mako sharks, Sarcoprion'' may have reacted smaller, fairly fast-swimming prey. At high speed it grabbed his prey and clamped it between his rostrum and his lower jaw. With the tooth whorl, the prey was then sliced in sensitive areas.

 Related pages 

 Edestus
 Helicoprion
 Romerodus

 References 
Category:Cartilaginous fish