2023-12-19 17:30:48
Fossil hunters recently presented a remarkable discovery in England. There BBC recently reported that paleontologists have unearthed the gigantic fossilized skull of a now-extinct sea monster nestled in a Dorset cliff.
This piece, which stands out for its exceptional state of preservation, belonged to a member of the pliosaur family. These beasts are among the prehistoric animals best known to the general public, particularly because of their singular appearance, halfway between a whale and a crocodile.
Even though they lived tens of millions of years earlier and evolved in a marine environment, pliosaurs still had something in common with the legendary Tyrannosaurus rex : It was about ruthless superpredators.
Real underwater killing machines
Some representatives of this family, such as the famous Pliosaurus funkei, could reach 15 meters in length with an estimated weight of between 20 and 40 tonnes of muscle. This species was capable of swimming at tremendous speed. And once within range, you only have to take a look at that gargantuan jaw to understand that they gave their poor victims almost no chance.
© Atlantic Productions
Indeed, biomechanical analyzes suggested that their bite was absolutely phenomenal. According to’Encyclopedia Britannicathese jaws could exert a pressure greater than 33,000 PSI (pounds per square inch), i.e. a hundred tons per square centimeter — enough to crush a small car! For reference, that’s almost three times more than paleontologists typically attribute to the famous T-rex. The great white shark pales in comparison, with an estimated pressure of just under 2 tonnes per square centimeter. Add to that sharp fangs that could reach 30 cm in length, and you have a veritable killing machine capable of shredding any of its contemporaries.
The first analyzes which have been carried out since the discovery of this new fossil, in spring 2022, however revealed that it was probably not the remains of a Pliosaurus funkei. This jaw, as large as an adult man (around 1.98 m long!), presents several particularities, including a characteristic bony crest, which suggest that it is a pliosaur never before documented. “ It is most likely a new species », Indicates Judyth Sassoon, a British expert cited by the Smithsonian Magazine.
The rest of the skeleton is probably not far away
And the good news is that they may soon have the means to verify it. Indeed, specialists expect that this already exceptional discovery is only the tip of the iceberg.
« I would bet if the rest of the animal is there, somewhere “, paleontologist Steve Etches told the BBC. “ And it should come out one day, because it’s an environment that’s eroding very quickly. This part of the cliff is retreating 30 centimeters per year. » The rest of the pliosaur could therefore emerge from the rock in the relatively near future.
But this also means that this scientific treasure could quickly be swallowed up by the ocean. Therefore, we will have to watch the cliff like milk on the fire to seize this superb opportunity if it presents itself.
Until then, this impressive jawline will have its moment of glory. She will be the star of a BBC documentary presented by Sir David Attenborough himself. The broadcast is scheduled for next February. For lovers of prehistory, we look forward to seeing you at the beginning of the year on the English channel PBS or on the media’s YouTube channel.
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