Synechodus is an extinct genus of shark belonging to the family Palaeospinacidae and order Synechodontiformes. It is known from 16 species primarily spanning from the Late Triassic to Paleocene.[1] The dentition is multicusped and was used for grasping.[1] Several species are known from skeletal remains, including the species Synechodus ungeri from the Late Jurassic of Germany, which shows that it was relatively short with large pectoral fins and a proportionally large head with a round snout.[1] This species is suggested to have reached a body length of 30–40 centimetres (0.98–1.31 ft).[2] Skeletal remains are also known of the species Synechodus dubrisiensis from the Cretaceous of Europe.[3] A skeleton of an indeterminate species is also known from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of France, with a body length of around 70 centimetres (2.3 ft).[4]Synechodus is suggested to have had two dorsal fins that lacked fin spines,[5] though the number of dorsal fins is unknown in Synechodus ungeri.[1]
The remains of the oldest known Synecodontiformes from the Early Permian of Russia have been assigned to the genus as the species Synechodus antiquus,[6] though other authors have considered its attribution to the genus doubtful,[7] with other authors considering attribution of all other pre-Jurassic species to genus being questionable.[7][8]
