Researchers have discovered a 9-million-year-old shark fossil, believed to be an ancestor of the great white shark, in Peru’s Pisco basin. The fossil shows exceptional preservation and includes sardine remains, indicating its diet. This discovery sheds light on marine life evolution and adds to Peru’s rich paleontological record.
Paleontologists in Peru recently unveiled the fossil of a 9-million-year-old ancestor of the great white shark, discovered in the Pisco basin, located approximately 235 km south of Lima. This nearly-complete fossil of Cosmopolitodus Hastalis indicates that it thrived in the southern Pacific Ocean, primarily consuming sardines, which constituted a significant part of its diet. The shark is believed to have reached lengths approaching seven meters and to have possessed teeth measuring up to 8.9 cm in length.
Cesar Augusto Chacaltana, an engineer from the Peruvian Geological and Mining Institute (INGEMMET), highlighted the “exceptional fossilization” of the remains, which were showcased in multiple glass urns. Notably, one of the displays featured a large jaw equipped with sharp teeth, underscoring the rarity of complete shark fossils worldwide. The presence of numerous sardine remains found within the stomach of the fossilized specimen further emphasizes its predatory nature during its existence.
Paleontologists noted that anchovies did not exist during the period in which Cosmopolitodus Hastalis inhabited the oceans, thus confirming that sardines served as their primary food source. Peru has garnered attention for its rich paleontological heritage, having recently presented other discoveries, such as a crocodile fossil dating over ten million years and a skull from the largest known river dolphin from approximately sixteen million years ago.
The recent discovery of the ancient shark fossil contributes significantly to the understanding of marine life evolution, particularly regarding the ancestry of the great white shark. The Pisco basin is renowned for yielding numerous important fossil finds, showcasing the region’s historical biodiversity in ancient marine ecosystems. By studying such fossils, scientists gain insights into the dietary habits and ecological roles of prehistoric predators in the oceans.
The unveiling of the 9-million-year-old shark fossil, an ancestor of the great white, enhances our knowledge of marine prehistoric life. Its remarkable fossilization and the preservation of dietary remains provide valuable information regarding the diet and size of ancient marine predators. Continued discoveries in the Pisco basin emphasize the area’s significance for paleontological research, revealing insights into the deep history of marine ecosystems.
Original Source: www.indiatoday.in
