This giant shark, extinct about 3.5 million years ago, is estimated to have been between 10 and 19 meters long
A group of scientists discovered the fossil of a megadolon ancestor, a gigantic shark historic extinctin a shark graveyard in the waters surrounding the Australian Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, scientific sources reported Wednesday.
The find came during a research voyage aboard the scientific vessel Investigator, which belongs to the Australian scientific agency CSIRO, while searching the seabed of that remote area located halfway between Australia and Sri Lankan.
On that expedition, 750 mineralized fossils of shark teeth were collectedof different modern and prehistoric predatory species, including those of the ancestor of the feared megadolon, which is believed to have measured between 10 and 19 metersaccording to a statement released today by CSIRO.
“This shark evolved into the megalodon, which It was the largest species of shark, although it became extinct about 3.5 million years ago.”explained Western Australian Museum Curator of Fish Glenn Moore, who was involved in the CSIRO research.
Although the megadolon is considered as one of the most powerful predators in historylittle evidence of its existence is preserved, such as its teeth, so its appearance and the maximum size it reached are uncertain, the statement added.
CSIRO researchers believe – from the tooth they found – that this relative of the megadolon came to measure about twelve meters.
On the scientific expedition on the Investigator ship, scientists also discovered new species of marine animals todaymany of them hitherto unknown, such as a small striped horn shark, found off the coast of northwestern Australia.
“This species is unique to Australia, but has yet to be named or described. This species that we have collected will be of great scientific importance,” noted Western Australian Museum Curator of Fish Will White.
This class of shark, also known as horned sharks (Heterodontus francisci), are animals that measure about a meter, slow movements and they are usually found in shallow waters.
Likewise, these animals generally remain hidden behind rocks or the algae on the sea floor and come out at night to look for food, although the new species discovered in the CISRO expedition inhabits waters more than 150 meters deep, according to the statement.
“From the new little sharks that live on the seabed to the the huge ancient megasharks that once roamed the oceansthese biodiversity studies provide us with vital information about life in our oceans,” said CISRO Chief Scientist John Keesing.