The megalodon is a prehistorical creature closely related to which of these animals?

Megalodon (Carcharocles megalodon), meaning "big tooth" from Ancient Greek: is an extinct species of shark that lived approximately 23 to 2.6 million years ago (mya), during the Early Miocene to the end of the Pliocene. In the past, the two major interpretations were Carcharodon megalodon (under the family Lamnidae) or Carcharocles megalodon (under the family Otodontidae). However, consensus has been reached that the latter view is correct and that Megalodon is of the family Otodontidae deriving from sharks of the genus Otodus, and thus should be placed under the genus Carcharocles. The shark has made appearances in several works of fiction and documentaries, such as the Discovery Channel's Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives.

Scientists suggest that Megalodon looked like a stockier version of the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators in vertebrate history, fossil remains of Megalodon suggest that this giant shark reached a length of 18 meters (59 ft), though there are many other competing figures; for example, 24 to 25 meters (79 to 82 ft). Their large jaws could exert a bite force of up to 110,000 to 180,000 newtons (25,000 to 40,000 lbf). Their teeth were thick and robust, built for grabbing prey and breaking bones.