Drop into The Wonder Cabinet and meet Documentation Officer, Dr Aodhán Ó Gogáin, for his talk on the history of sharks through their teeth. 

Sharks are often portrayed as voracious top predators that have remained unchanged since before the dinosaurs. However, when we look at the fossil record of these animals and their relations we find a completely different story. This talk will trace the natural history of cartilaginous fish, from their humble beginnings in the Silurian as the relatively small spiny sharks that had defensive spines, to the diversity of forms found in Carboniferous fossil deposits in Ireland that fed on shellfish, all the way up to the larger predatory forms that preyed on marine reptiles in the oceans of the Cretaceous. By looking at fossils of sharks and their relations, which mostly consist of teeth, spines and scales, with some rarer complete body fossils, the complete and complex story of these animals comes to light.

No booking required. This talk is located at The Wonder Cabinet. Places are limited and on a first come, first served basis. Wheelchair accessible. 

For questions about this event please contact marketing@museum.ie   

Opening hours are extended until 8pm on Thursday evenings from the 4th July to 29th August at the NMI - Natural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2

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