Evolution
Fossil showing a Wodnika striatula dorsal fin.
Wodnika has only been found in rocks of the late Permian that were laid down in the Zechstein sea and seemed to have survived for only a short period of time (about 1.5 million years) before becoming extinct.
Wodnika is similar to the hybodont sharks that flourished for many millions of years during the Mesozoic Era (250 to 70 million years ago), and may be related to them. It is thought that the hybodont sharks are the closest fossil relatives of the neoselachians (all living sharks and rays) (Maisey et al 2004).