76-Million-Year-Old Fossil of Gigantic Great White Shark Relative that Lived Among Dinosaurs Discovered in Mexico

The remains of an extinct marine mammal were found in Mexico. It was huge and was reportedly linked to the great white.

Fossils of Ancient Great White Relative Found in Mexico

Fossils of a massive great white shark relative that coexisted with dinosaurs were found in Mexico. In a new study, a multinational team of paleontologists and archaeologists found the discovery in a limestone quarry in the northeast part of the nation.

This is a unique discovery because the bones of the Cretaceous-era species were remarkably well preserved. According to paleontologists, the species may have grown up to 30 feet long. It is much larger than today's great white sharks since the report describes it as "gigantic."

It may be the largest durophagous lamniform shark ever to have lived. It is a member of the mackerel shark family and belonged to the extinct durophagous shark genus Ptychodus, which was distinguished by its exceptionally huge teeth and ferocious bite.

In Cretaceous marine deposits worldwide, Ptychodus fossils are not that uncommon. But most of these comprise solitary vertebrae, incomplete dentition, and isolated teeth, according to lead author Romain Vullo, a researcher at Géosciences Rennes. Before the Mexican material was found, no complete examples of Ptychodus were known to exist. These fossils are uncommon because the perfect conditions for their preservation, such as a calm, murky habitat free of scavengers, make them rare. One of the rare Late Cretaceous deposits that have produced entire shark specimens is the platy limestone of Vallecillo.

The almost complete fossil gave scientists a clear image of the extinct creature, including possible appearance, food sources, and mode of locomotion. A synopsis of the discoveries stated that eye sockets, fins, tails, and even the impression of organs were visible in some bones due to their exceptional preservation.

The authors wrote in the study, "Specimens mostly consist of isolated teeth or more or less complete dentitions, whereas cranial and post-cranial skeletal elements are scarce."

Scientists estimated approximately 76 million years ago, hunting animals with hard shells, such as sea turtles. They think that because other animals had developed to seek the same prey, creating competition, its choice of prey may have played a significant role in its extinction.

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Great White Sharks Are Flexible?

Another study found that great white sharks' behavior is adaptable. Researchers from Stanford University, Oregon State University, Murdoch University, and California State University Monterey Bay equipped twenty-one great white sharks of varying ages with trackers.

These sharks were found in California's coastal waters in various locations, including shallow waters near the coast and islands. The tags were used to monitor the sharks' movements, depths, and whereabouts. After adhering to the animals for six days, they were expected to release themselves and float to the surface.

Once all the trackers had been collected, the researchers analyzed the information to determine whether shark behavior was constant or varied based on the environment. They discovered that the sharks were more active at dawn and twilight, suggesting they were searching for food in areas with a higher concentration of fish than animal prey.

RELATED ARTICLE: What Caused the Death of the Whale Shark? Research Points to International Trade Carried by Sea as the Culprit

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