The Shark Tank:

A journey through the evolution of Sharks

Sharks trigger emotions of fear and fascination alike, therefore continuously capturing our interest. Experience a breathtaking and unique presentation of our oceans apex predator: The Shark.

This awesome creature ruled the oceans for hundreds of millions of years, beginning long before dinosaurs and mammals roamed the earth and surviving the great extinctions of the past.

This exhibition depicts the monumental evolution of sharks through fossil specimens never before on public display, retaining millions of years of scientific history.

Available exclusively for lease to museums and for special events.

The Shark Tank goes on view for the first time at the Granada Gallery in Tucson, AZ.:
Jan. 20th – Feb. 10th, 2018.

The Exhibition

This is the first detailed exhibition of shark evolution, presented by Interprospekt AG. It stretches from the first sharks of the Devonian Period to the spectacular giant megalodon of the Tertiary Period.

The First Shark

The first and most primitive sharks appeared during the Devonian Period (420- 358 million years ago). Fish were highly diversified at this time, which is why this time period is referred to as the age of fish. The first sharks were very small compared to the spectacular size of its modern day relative, and are very rare in the fossil record. The Devonian specimen on display is from the Old Sand Formation, Scotland.

Sharks from the Permian

250 million year ago the supercontinent Pangea was formed. This supercontinent affected the entire climate and, as with any continental climate, high variations in temperature and humidity were registered. These sharks lived in fresh water and remain as well preserved specimens seen in this exhibition from the State of Pfalz, Germany. Marine sharks were extremely rare, but the unique specimen shown is from Kupferschiefer, Germany.

Shark Eggs from the Triassic

A special section of the exhibition is dedicated to an unusual topic:
a shark egg capsule from the Triassic Period (200–145 million years ago). These are extremely rare fossils and very few people have had the chance to admire them. They were found in Ilsfeld, Germany and offer an additional opportunity for a discussion about reproduction and biology of the shark, both modern and extinct.

Sharks from the Jurassic

The Jurassic Period (200 – 145 million years ago) brought famous and towering dinosaurs, but few people know that there were also giants lurking in the oceans. Sharks shared the position of apex predator with marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs, mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. A big shift occurred at the start of the Jurassic Period when 12 new groups evolved. Sharks with flexible jaws started to appear. This meant they could feed on things bigger than themselves, and they were able to exploit their newly emerging habitats, as the world was continuously changing. High quality preservations from Solnhofen, Germany perfectly illustrate life from the Jurassic, allowing us to learn more about this time period and its contribution to the evolution of the sharks.

Modern Shark evolving during the Cretaceous

The creatures that thrived during the Jurassic period survived right into the Cretaceous (145 –66 million years ago). The end of the age of dinosaurs came at the close of the Cretaceous Period, about sixty-five million years ago. This massive extinction event wiped out many prehistoric animals…. but not the sharks! These ocean predators, like the one shown from the Cretaceous of Lebanon, were able to adapt and survive in the changing environment and eventually go on to thrive.

Tertiary’s Megalodon

A shark from the Tertiary is shown in this exhibition by a master-piece. One of the most famous sharks that ever existed: a 3-D megalodon. This unique specimen from the Miocene has never been shown to the public before and is offered exclusively with this exhibition. Still being excavated are undiscovered sharks from the smallest size to the largest ones, including the megalodon described here.

Present Day Sharks

Comparatively, present day sharks will be shown in all their diversity and complexity by a documentary played on a large screen TV. Your audience can enjoy wonderful images while also learning about the impending risks on these endangered species.

Rental offering for museums and designated events

The fascination of sharks led Interpospekt to dedicate an exclusive exhibition to this predator of the sea. A vast collection of 85 different shark specimens allows a complete and detailed presentation of the evolution of shark.

Interested museums can compose a special exhibition on the basis of this unique collection, provided with detailed descriptions in digital or hard copy.

Interprospekt will organize shipment and support of installation with our own team of specialists. This exhibition also includes a recent documentary, played on a large screen TV, showing the diversity and complexity of the modern day shark.

Inquire with Interprospekt AG for prices regarding this exhibition customized for your gallery, museum or special event.

The Shark Tank – A journey through the evolution of Sharks

Interprospekt AG | Impasse Trautheim 8 | CH-1724 Ferpicloz | www.interprospekt.ch

Contact: Dr. Frédéric Lacombat | Director of Science Department | eMail: science@interprospekt.ch