Oldest evidence of bramble sharks (Elasmobranchii, Echinorhinidae) in the Lower Cretaceous of southeast France and the evolutionary history of orbitostylic sharks

► We report the oldest Bramble Shark from the late Hauterivian of SE France. ► We discuss the first steps in the evolution of modern deep-sea sharks. ► Dental histology and fossil record suggest affinities with basal Orbitostylic sharks.