Archaeologists have discovered a complete fossil of an ancient relative of a great white shark from Mexico that was the contemporary of the dinosaurs after being discovered in the eighteenth century, reported Live Science. This fossil relates to genus Ptychodus and their descriptions are focused on their 22-inch-long and 18-inch-wide teeth. Such characteristics have also been found in several marine fossils dating back 66 to 145 million years ago — the Cretaceous period.
After a heated discussion on the shape, scientists found an explanation. A lead author Romain Vullo, a researcher at Geosciences Rennes, told Live Science: “The discovery of complete Ptychodus specimens is really exciting because it solves one of the most striking enigmas in vertebrate paleontology.”
The findings published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences Wednesday stated that the complete fossil of the shark was found in limestone quarries in Nuevo León, northeastern Mexico. According to findings, it preyed on sea turtles and competed with other species that hunted for the same living beings.
Vullo said: “The specimens show an exquisite preservation,” because they were deposited in a quiet area with no scavengers.” “The carcasses of animals were rapidly buried in a soft lime mud before being entirely disarticulated.”
The new fossil discovery allowed experts to challenge the earlier-held belief that Ptychodus fed on invertebrates, suggesting that they had a streamlined body shape, and were fast-swimming predators.
