Helicoprion bessonowi was a prehistoric shark-like fish known for its peculiar spiral jaw filled with saw-like teeth. It lived around 290 million years ago in marine environments, possibly using its unique jaw to slice through soft-bodied prey. Fossils indicate it had a long, streamlined body ideal for swift swimming.

Helicoprion bessonowi, an extinct species of cartilaginous fish, lived during the early to middle Permian period, approximately 290 to 270 million years ago. Fossil evidence indicates that it was predominantly found in what is now the Ural Mountains region of Russia, as well as parts of the United States, notably in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada.

Helicoprion bessonowi inhabited marine environments, specifically shallow, warm, and tropical to subtropical seas. The conditions were likely similar to modern-day tropical marine environments, with abundant coral reefs and diverse marine life.

As a marine predator, Helicoprion bessonowi likely occupied a niche as an apex or mesopredator in its ecosystem. Its unique spiral tooth whorl suggests it fed on soft-bodied prey such as cephalopods and small fish, using its specialized dentition to effectively grasp and slice through its catch.