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Squalicorax is a genus of extinct lamniform shark known to have lived during the Cretaceous period.

Carcharhiniform or lamniform?
The ambiguous characteristics of Squalicorax have led to a confusion about which shark order the genus belongs to, and to this day there remains no full certainty on the issue. Historically, scientists have suggested a placement of Squalicorax within one of four orders: the cow sharks (Hexanchiformes), the carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes), the ground sharks (Carcharhiniformes), or the mackerel sharks (Lamniformes). The first two were suggested based on the similarities of the teeth of some Squalicorax species with modern members of those orders, as well as the purported presence of skull features that are exclusive to them. The study of Squalicorax skeletons by Shimada & Cicimurri (2005) ruled out these placements by identifying a number of contradicting anatomical features.