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How big were ancient sharks compared to today's species?
Ancient sharks, like the one identified from the vertebrae in Australia, were significantly larger than many modern sharks. The size of the vertebra suggests this predator was a giant, possibly rivaling or exceeding the size of today's largest sharks like the whale shark or the great white. This indicates that prehistoric marine predators played a dominant role in their ecosystems.
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What does this find tell us about shark evolution?
The discovery of a vertebra from 115 million years ago pushes back the timeline for the evolution of large predatory sharks. It shows that modern shark lineages, including some of the biggest species, were already evolving and diversifying during the Cretaceous period. This helps scientists understand how sharks adapted to their environments over millions of years.
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Where exactly was the mega-shark found in Australia?
The fossil was discovered near Darwin, Australia. This region has become a significant site for paleontological research, revealing important clues about marine life during the late Cretaceous period. The location helps scientists piece together the ancient marine ecosystems that existed in what is now northern Australia.
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Why are fossil vertebrae important for understanding sharks?
Fossil vertebrae are crucial because sharks have cartilaginous skeletons that rarely fossilize. Vertebrae provide vital clues about the size, structure, and evolution of ancient sharks. Analyzing these bones allows scientists to estimate the size of the shark and understand how it fits into the evolutionary history of marine predators.
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What other prehistoric marine life has been discovered recently?
Besides the giant shark vertebrae, recent discoveries include fossils of prehistoric bees that built nests in caves and new insights into early hominin species like 'Little Foot.' These findings collectively expand our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems, showing a diverse range of life forms that thrived millions of years ago.