Why did so many ancient sharks disappear? Think evolution — change over time. Animals who live in the same environment compete for food, shelter, mates. Those who are most successful win. That means they reproduce and pass their genes on to their offspring. What do you think happened to the sharks featured on these pages? Are their offspring around today?

Join the Discovery expedition to the Falkland Islands in search of the fossil remains of the ancient sharkPucapampella.Tour the ancient seasto meet some ofPucapampella'sclosest friends. Or visit theprehistoric shark galleryfor illustrations of sharks beyond your imagination. Think about the Helicoprion , for instance, with its strange spiral jaw full of teeth. How might those teeth have come in handy on the high seas? Why might theHelicoprionand other ancient sharks have lost out in the game of evolution? Think of yourself as a virtual scientist and consider how these ancient sharks differ from the sharks of today.

Visit Discovery.com's main site to learn more about this expedition:

Today's Dispatch | Why the Falklands? |